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Note: Since these log files are derived from the Closed Captions created during the Channel 6 live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. These Closed Caption logs are not official records of Council Meetings and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records or transcripts, please contact the City Clerk at (512) 974-2210.
MAYOR GARCIA: THERE BEING
A QUORUM OF THE AUSTIN CITY
COUNCIL IN THE CHAMBERS, I'M
GOING TO CALL THE REGULAR
MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY
COUNCIL BACK TO ORDER, WE
ARE AT OUR 1:30 TIME
CERTAIN.
AND THIS IS THE ONE THAT
DEALS WITH CITIZENS
COMMUNICATIONS GENERAL
CATEGORIES.
WE HAVE THREE — 10
SPEAKERS, THE FIRST ONE IS
MR. FRANCISCO J. ACEVES.
MR. FRANCISCO J. ACEVES, IF
YOU COULD COME TO ONE OF THE
MICS?
FOLLOWING HIM IS MS. JODIE
KEELING.
YOU WILL BE FOLLOWING
MR. ACEVES.
WELCOME, SIR.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR AND IT'S AN HONOR FOR
ME TO BE HERE.
AND AGAIN MY NAME IS
FRANCISCO J. ACEVES.
AND I'M HERE TO INTRODUCE TO
THE COUNCIL THE DOCUMENT OF
IDENTIFICATION THAT'S CALLED
THE LA MATRICULA CONSULAR
ISSUED BY THE MEXICO
GOVERNMENT FOR THE GENERAL
CONSULATE OF MEXICO.
AS MEANS OF VALID
IDENTIFICATION FOR RESIDENT
OF THE MEXICAN CITIZENS —
CITIZENSHIP LIVING IN
HOUSTON — IN AUSTIN, I'M
SORRY, [ LAUGHTER ],
BYPASSING A RESOLUTION,
BYPASSING THE RESOLUTION WE
RECOGNIZE — TO RECOGNIZE
THE LA MATRICULA CONSULAR,
IT'S A VALID FORM OF
IDENTIFICATION, AS A VALID
FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, ALSO
WILL RENDER MANY BENEFITS TO
OUR GROWING COMMUNITY.
ORGANIZATIONS IN AND AROUND
AUSTIN AND TO THE CITY
COUNCIL AS WELL.
REV...AS YOU READ THIS LETTER, I
HAVE MORE, IF ANYBODY WANTS
TO READ THEM IN ENGLISH AND
IN SPANISH, THERE IS SOMEONE
BEING DENIED THE CASHING OF
A CHECK AFTER HAVING EARNED
PAY BY HARD WORK, WHICH IN
TURN WILL CAUSE THIS PERSON
TO FAIL TO PAY BILLS,
LIVING, LEAVES THE FAMILY AT
RISK.
THERE IS 47.8% OF THE
STUDENTS IN THE AUSTIN
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
THAT ARE HISPANIC HERITAGE
OR HISPANIC DISSENT.
THE FACT OF THE HISPANIC
COMMUNITY IS GROWING IS
OBVIOUS AND MAKING THIS
ISSUE ONE OF SIGNIFICANT
IMPORTANCE.
PROVIDING THE HISPANIC
COMMUNITY WITH — WITH ITS
OWN IDENTITY WILL NOT ONLY
ALLEVIATE PROBLEMS FOR THE
COMMUNITY ITSELF, BUT WILL
ALSO HELP AUSTIN'S COMMUNITY
AS AN INSTITUTION, THE
HISPANIC MARKET WILL BENEFIT
FROM MORE SIMPLIFIED
PROCEDURE.
BOTH THE MEXICAN CONSUMER
AND THE BUSINESS OF ALL
TYPES WILL ASSURE MORE
PRODUCTIVE BUSINESS
ENDEAVORS MAKING WAY FOR
LONGER BUSINESS
RELATIONSHIPS WITH CONSUMER
AND INSTITUTIONS AND THE —
IN THE MEXICAN COMMUNITY.
ONE EXAMPLE CURRENTLY
APPLYING THIS BUSINESS
PRACTICE IS — IS WELLS
FARGO BANK AND ALSO THE —
THE BANK OF AMERICA.
AND I PUT SOME — SOME
EXAMPLES OF IDENTIFICATIONS
THAT WELLS FARGO PROVIDED ME
AS — AS SOME OF THE ONES
THAT THEY TAKE AND IT'S —
IT'S UNDER — ON THE FOLDER
OVER THERE.
EVEN UNDER PRESSURE OF
THE — ON THE STATE AND
FEDERAL OPPOSITION, THE CITY
OF AUSTIN HAS SHOWN THE
COURAGE TO PROTECT THE
RIGHTS OF HISPANICS AGAINST
DISCRIMINATION IN THE PAST.
BYPASSING THE RESOLUTION, TO
RECOGNIZE THE LA MATRICULA
CONSULAR [BUZZER SOUNDING]
AUSTIN WILL JOIN SAN
FRANCISCO AND OAKLAND,
CALIFORNIA, KEEPING AUSTIN
IN THE — THE EYES ON THE
STATE OF TEXAS AND PIONEER
OF EXEMPLARY MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR AUDIENCE
AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
TODAY.
THANK VERY MUCH.
I WAS WONDERING, DO YOU HAVE
OR CAN YOU ACCESS COPIES OF
THE RESOLUTION THAT WERE
PASSED BY OAKLAND AND SAN
FRANCISCO?
YES, SIR, IT'S ON YOUR
FOLDER.
MAYOR GARCIA: I HAVE A
LETTER AND I HAVE COPIES OF
THE DOCUMENTS AND — I HAVE
EXPERTS.
I'M NOT SURE THAT I HAVE THE
RESOLUTION ITSELF.
NO, IT'S NOT THE
RESOLUTION ITSELF.
MAYOR GARCIA: WE CAN
RESEARCH THAT.
OKAY.
MAYOR GARCIA: AND DO YOU
KNOW HOW IT'S WORKING IN
OAKLAND AND SAN FRANCISCO?
IS IT WORKING WELL?
IT'S ACTUALLY WORKING
PRET WELL AND — AND JUST
SIMPLIFIED THE WAY
BUSINESSES ARE PERFORMED
BEFORE — BETWEEN A LOT OF
PEOPLE, I MEAN, BY TAKING
THIS, YOU CAN GO TO ANY
CASHING PLACE AND BE ABLE
TO — BE ABLE TO CASH CHECK.
EVEN IF HE— IF ANYBODY
WANTS TO HAVE FUN BY GOING
TO A CLUB, IF THEY SHOW THE
LA MATRICULA CONSULAR, THEY
ARE NOT GETTING — THEY ARE
NOT GRANTED ACCESS
AUTOMATICALLY BECAUSE IT'S
NOT A — IT NOT A VALID
IDENTIFICATION FOR THE CITY
OF AUSTIN.
MAYOR GARCIA: CITY
ATTORNEY, YOU MAY WANT TO
LOOK INTO THE ISSUE OF WHAT
KIND OF LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
ARE HERE SO THAT IF THE
COUNCIL CONSIDERS PUTTING
THIS ON THE DAG WE CAN HAVE
THAT —
WE WILL DO SO, MAYOR.
THANK YOU, MR. ACEVES.
MS. KEELING AND FOLLOWING
MS. KEELING IS MR. ROBERT L.
THOMAS.
[INAUDIBLE - NO MIC]
WELCOME.
THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON
COUNCIL AND MAYOR GARCIA.
MY NAME IS JODIE KEELING AND
I'M THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
THE AUSTIN CINEMAKER COOP.
I ORIGINALLY SIGNED UP TO
COME SPEAK TO YOU TODAY TO
APPEAL TO YOU TO HELP US GET
OUR CULTURAL CONTRACTS
APPLICATION BACK INTO THE
FUNDING PROCESS AND SINCE I
SIGNED UP TWO WEEKS AGO, OUR
APPLICATION HAS BEEN
REACCEPTED INTO THE FUNDING
PROCESS, SO I WANTED TO COME
DOWN AND TAKE THE TIME TODAY
JUST TO SAY THANK YOU.
AND THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR
HELP AND — IN GETTING US
BACK INTO THIS PROCESS.
WE DEPEND GREATLY ON THE
FUNDING FROM THE CITY AND WE
ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD
TO A NEW YEAR.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
MS. KEELING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MR. ROBERT L. THOMAS AND
FOLLOWING MR. THOMAS
MS. JENNIFER GALE.
MR. ROBERT THOMAS.
GOODMAN: MAYOR, BEFORE
THEY COME UP, BEFORE AMY
GOES, WE DID HAVE A BUDGET
ITEM LAST YEAR ON CULTURAL
ARTS.
AND A CONSULTANT —
MAYOR GARCIA:
MS. KEELING.
GOODMAN: TO LOOK AT THE
PROCESS.
AND SEE WHAT WE NEEDED TO
REVAMP POSSIBLY.
SO THAT R.F.P. HAS GONE OUT,
I THINK BY JULY IS THE MONTH
THAT I HEARD, ALTHOUGH THIS
IS A YEAR LATER THAN THAT
WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.
BUT THE CONSULTANT WILL BE
COMING BACK, WITH THE HELP
OF THE CITY AUDITORS AS WELL
WE HAVE IN-HOUSE HELP TO
LOOK AT THE WHOLE PROCESS.
WHAT I WOULD THINK WOULD BE
REALLY, REALLY HELPFUL IS IF
FOLKS LIKE YOU PERHAPS
STARTED MAKING A LIST OF
DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAVE
HAPPENED THAT HAVE COME UP
ALONG THE WAY.
THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE
CONSULTANT AND THE
COMMISSION AND THE AUDITORS
AND COUNCIL.
TO GET A GOOD HANDLE ON THE
PROCESS.
SO IF YOU THINK OF THOSE
THINGS, NOW IS THE TIME TO
START COMPILING THEM.
WHO WOULD BE A GOOD
PERSON TO GIVE THOSE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO?
GOODMAN: I WOULD BE A
GOOD PERSON.
OKAY.
ALL RIGHT.
GREAT, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MS. KEELING.
MR. ROBERT L. THOMAS,
MS. JENNIFER GALE.
MR. ORLANDO MEAN I....... PIN —
MR. ROLANDO PINA, MR. JOSE
QUINTERO, FOLLOWING MR. JOSE
QUINTERO IS MS. SUSANA
ALMANZA, MR. QUINN TEAR I
DON'T, WELCOME, SIR.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS
OF THE COUNCIL, CITIZENS OF
EAST AUSTIN, MY NAME IS JOSE
QUINTERO, WITH THE GREATER
EAST AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION.
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I
RECEIVED A — SOME
INFORMATION FROM THE
HERITAGE SOCIETY AND IT
SEEMED TO APPALL ME, TO
ADDRESS THE ISSUES REGARDING
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS
THAT — THAT WE DIDN'T
SUPPORT.
WE FILED A PETITION AGAINST
THEM.
AND WE DID NOT WANT TO
SUPPORT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE
OF — BECAUSE OF THE RED
LINE EAST OF 35 AND THE
REASONING BECAUSE WE KNEW
ONCE WE BECAME A DISTRICT,
WE WOULD BECOME A TARGET FOR
HISTORICAL ZONING.
YOU HAVE PROMISED US SAYING
THAT YOU WOULD PROVIDE
HOUSING FOR THE PEOPLE, FOR
THE MEXICANOS THAT HAVE
SUFFERED LIKE MY MOTHER FOR
YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
NOW YOU ARE COMING OUT THERE
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY TO
INSULT US.
BUT NOT WRITING ANYTHING
ABOUT US, ABOUT — ABOUT
KNOWING WHAT THIS CHURCH AND
THE HISTORY OF THIS CHURCH
BEING DISPLACED IN 1920'S,
BECAUSE OF DISCRIMINATION
AND INJUSTICE.
NOW, IN THE 2,000 CENTURY,
YOU ARE COMING BACK AGAIN TO
DISPLACE THE PEOPLE OF
COLOR.
BY RAISING TAXES, BY THESE
EXAMPLES, IF YOU GO TO THE
TAX APPRAISAL DISTRICT AND
FIND OUT WHY THESE TAXES ARE
SO HIGH, AND PEOPLE OF LOW
INCOME CANNOT AFFORD THESE
TAXES ARE BEING PRESSURED TO
MOVE OUT OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
ASK YOU ARE, GUS GARCIA, ARE
YOU SUPPORTING OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD?
COUNCILMAN ALVAREZ?
WE FOUGHT THIS ISSUE.
AND WE ARE RIGHT AND YOU ARE
WRONG.
YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE WRONG!
YOU HAVEN'T BROUGHT ANY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT NOW YOU WANT TO PUSH US
OUT.
WE ARE TIRED OF YOUR TRICKS.
IS THERE ANY COUNCILMEMBER
IN HERE THAT CAN STEP UP AND
SAY STOP, STOP THE INSULT,
COMES OUT IN THE NEWSPAPER,
WEST MEETS EAST.
I HAVEN'T MET ANYBODY FROM
THE WEST.
LET ME ASK YOU THIS: DID
THE HERITAGE SOCIETY FORGET
WHO WAS HERE FIRST?
REV...WHO WAS HERE FIRST?
WHY IS IT NOW GERMAN,
ITALIANS AND IRISH?
YOU ARE WRONG.
AND I'M EMBARRASSED AT YOU.
THAT YOU CANNOT PROVIDE A
LEADERSHIP TO PROTECT MY
NEIGHBORHOOD AND MY
GRANDKIDS.
[BUZZER SOUNDING]
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
MR. QUINTERO.
MS. SUSANA ALMANZA.
FOLLOWING MS. ALMANZA, IS
MR. MARCOS DELEON.
MS. ALMANZA, WELCOME.
[INAUDIBLE - NO MIC]
MAYOR GARCIA: IT'S NOT
TICKING.
IT STARTS TICKING WHEN YOU
START TALKING.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'M
SUSANA ALMANZA WITH PODER,
HISTORIC ZONING IS ANOTHER
GENTRIFICATION DISPLACEMENT
TOOL.
THE REAL HIDDEN TREASURES OF
THE ROBERTSON HILL GUADALUPE
NEIGHBORHOOD ARE THE AFRICAN
AND MEXICAN AMERICAN
COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN
DISPLACED AND CONTINUE TO BE
DISPLACED.
THE ROBINSON HILL GUADALUPE
NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT A MODEL
FOR REVITALIZATION IN EAST
AUSTIN.
IT IS A MODEL THAT HONORS
STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS AND
RAISES PROPERTY VALUES TO
THE MAXIMUM.
IT IS A MODEL THAT IS
DISPLACING AND HAS DISPLACED
THE MEXICAN AND AFRICAN
AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.
IN THE 1928 CITY OF AUSTIN
MASTER PLAN WE KNOW AS THE
YES MASTER PLAN, IT
RELOCATED AFRICANS AND
MEXICANS THAT WERE PREVALENT
THROUGHOUT AUSTIN TO THE
URBAN RESERVATION OF EAST
AUSTIN.
NOW THE NEW COLONIZERS ARE
GETTING READY TO DISPLACE US
EAST OF 183.
THE HERITAGE SOCIETY SHOULD
BE SHAMED CELEBRATING
SLAVERY.
WHAT IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSING
IS REP PAIR RAGES FOR THE —
REP....... REPARATIONS.
THE MEXICANS AND MEXICAN
AMERICANS WERE HERE
THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEFORE
THE EUROPEANS ARRIVED.
WE DID NOT ARRIVE IN THE
1900'S.
LETS GET THAT STRAIGHT.
LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW
HISTORIC ZONING IS A TOOL OF
GENTRIFICATION AND
DISPLACEMENT.
IF YOU LOOK AT THIS
PARTICULAR CHART THAT LOOKS
AT THE INCREASE OF THE
PROPERTY VALUES FOR THE 7
HISTORIC SITES, BECAUSE TWO
HAVE NO MARKET VALUE, THE
ONE THAT THE CITY OWNS ON 12..
12th STREET AND THE ONE THAT
GUADALUPE OWNS ON LYDIA AND
9th .
IF YOU LOOK STARTING AT
10-13, YOU CAN SEE THE
HOUSES UP HERE, YOU CAN SEE
ALL OF THEM IN '98, 75,000
IS NOW VALUED AT 200,000 ...
1101 EAST 9 NOW AT $172,000.
13 — 1100 EAST 8th ,
STARTED, BACKWARDS, IT'S
$347,000.
AND 1208INKS, ALSO, YOU WILL
SEE NOW INCREASED
TO $347,000.
AND THEN AS YOU LOOK ON, AT
1604 EAST 11th , IT'S ALMOST
CLOSE TO HALF A MILLION.
IT'S $479,521.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN IT
GOT TO HISTORICAL, IT WAS
TOTALLY RESTORED.
WHAT DID IT AFFECT AND HOW
IS IT AFFECTING?
IF YOU LOOK AT THE TWO
PROPERTIES NEXT TO 1101 EAST
9th , ONE AT 1100, THE OTHER
ONE AT 1010 EAST 9th , TWO
PROPERTIES, EVEN THE
HISTORIC HOME IN '98 ITS
VALUE WAS 33,000.
THE TWO HOMES IN THE SAME
BLOCK WERE 28,000 AND
20,000.
AND IN 2002, YOU WILL SEE
[BUZZER SOUNDING] IT REACHED
$172,000 AND THE TWO HOUSES
ADJACENT THERE HAVE GONE UP
28 TO 96,000.
20,000 TO $97,000.
LET'S LOOK AT ANOTHER
EXAMPLE HERE.
THOMAS: MAYOR, CAN I ASK
A QUESTION.
ALVAREZ: I WAS GOING TO
ASK A QUESTION.
MAYOR GARCIA: YOU ARE OUT
OF TIME.
IT GOING TO HELP YOU EXTEND
YOUR TIME.
ALVAREZ: IS THERE YOUR
LAST —
I HAVE TWO MORE, IF YOU
WILL BEAR WITH ME.
ALVAREZ: I PERSONALLY
WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE
REMAINDER OF THE
PRESENTATION.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION.
THERE'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE
HERE —
MAYOR GARCIA: JUST A
SECOND, MS. ALMANZA.
HE SAID THAT HE WOULD
LIKE TO HEAR THE REMAINDER.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
IF YOU LOOK HERE, THIS IS
A HOUSE AT 1013 EAST 9th .
IT STARTED AT 75,000, IN
2002, 278,000.
THE ADJOINING PROPERTY AT
1014 EAST 9th WAS VALUED AT
53,000.
ONCE THAT HOUSE WAS RESTORED
IT HAS VALUE OF $168,000.
SO WHAT IT'S DOING IS THAT
IT'S RAISING THE PROPERTY
VALUES FOR EVERYONE IN THAT
BLOCK, WE KNOW THAT THE
TRAVIS COUNTY DISTRICT
APPRAISAL CAN RAISE
PROPERTIES WITHIN A ONE-MILE
RADIUS.
ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE ALL
OF THESE HISTORICAL HOMES
REACHING UP TO CLOSE TO HALF
A MILLION MUCH OUR COMMUNITY
IS FEELING THE IMPACT OF
THOSE TAXES.
AND EVEN THE ELDERLY WHO ARE
CAPPED, EVERYONE HAS
EXCEEDED THEIR CAP.
SO THEY ARE HAVING TO PAY
TAXES ON THE ABOVE CAP ON
THE AREA.
BUT THE MOST DETRIMENTAL
PART OF THIS HISTORIC ZONING
IS THAT IT COVERS A REGION
FROM 12th STREET THAT'S
ALREADY HAPPENED TO 7th
STREET.
I-35 TO COMAL.
SO EVERYONE WHO LIVES IN
THIS AREA IS SEEING A
PROPERTY TAX INCREASE OF
TREMENDOUS, TREMENDOUS
VALUES.
AND SO THEY ARE HAVING, EVEN
THOUGH THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANY
STRUCTURED IMPROVEMENT, IT
DOESN'T MATTER.
THEY ARE FEELING THE IMPACT
OF THE TAX HIKE THAT YOU SEE
THERE, JUST IN THE TWO
EXAMPLES, I COULD GO ON AND
ON.
I HAVE PULLED ALL OF THE
DIFFERENT TRACK APPRAISAL
ROUTES.
SO HISTORIC ZONING IS A TOOL
OF GENTRIFICATION AND
DISPLACEMENT.
WE DON'T WANT THE HISTORIC
ZONING UNLESS THERE'S TOOLS
AND MECHANISMS TO PRESERVE
THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED
THERE AND WHO ARE THERE AND
THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO
STAY.
WHY WOULD WE PRESERVE SOME
HISTORICAL FINDING AND NOT
THE HISTORIC PEOPLE THAT
HAVE LIVED THERE?
SO I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT
THIS HISTORICAL ZONING.
ALVAREZ: IN TERMS OF THAT
AREA THAT YOU DEFINED, IS
THAT — IS THAT BECAUSE YOU
ARE DRAWING THE ONE-MILE
RADIUS OR WHY — WHY ARE YOU
SAYING THESE PARTICULAR
HOMES ARE AFFECTING THAT —
THAT SIZE OF AN AREA?
WELL, BECAUSE THERE'S A
HISTORIC HOME.
I HAVEN'T HIGHLIGHTED THE
OTHER HISTORICAL STRUCTURES
THAT ARE IN WITH WITH THIS
MAP.
I'M ONLY HIGHLIGHTING IF YOU
SEE THESE, THESE ARE THE
ONES THAT ARE ON THE
HISTORICAL TOUR THAT'S GOING
TO HAPPEN THIS WEEKEND.
SO WHEN YOU HAVE THAT HOUSE
ON THE 1 FIRST STREET,
THAT'S IMPACTING — ON 1
FIRST STREET IMPACTING
THERE — 11th STREET, 12th
STRET, THE WHOLE GUADALUPE
AREA.
LIKE A DOMINO THEORY.
THOSE IN ADJACENT BLOCKS
THEY ARE ON.
EVERYBODY IS BEING HIT.
NOT JUST THE ADJACENT.
IT IS THE DOMINO THEORY.
ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE ALL
OF THESE HOUSES WITH
TREMENDOUS VALUES, IT'S JUST
RAISING UP EVERYBODY'S
TAXES.
YOU DON'T THINK THAT IT'S
JUST THE — AGAIN, THAT
THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE
WHOLE AREA BECAUSE I THINK
PROPERTY VALUES ARE
INCREASING IN THAT WHOLE
AREA RIGHT THERE.
PARTLY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I
GUESS THERE'S SOME HOMES
THAT ARE BEING SOLD FOR MORE
MONEY.
WELL, I THINK THAT'S A
REAL IMPORTANT ISSUE.
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY TRUE
BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE COMING IN
AND FLIPPING THE PROPERTIES.
WHAT THEY COME IN IS THEY
BUY IT AT $40,000, JUMP IT
TOED 80,000.
I HAVE EVIDENCE OF THAT, THE
NEXT YEAR AT $100,000.
BUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN
THERE, BOUGHT THEIR HOUSE
FROM 6 TO $8,000, THEY ARE
ALL THE WAY UP TO
70, $90,000, AND HAVING TO
PAY TREMENDOUS PROPERTY
TAXES.
AND THE BIG DIFFERENCE THAT
I MIGHT SAY ABOUT
GENTRIFICATION IN EAST
AUSTIN, BECAUSE PEOPLE SAY
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN — YOU
KNOW, IN HYDE PARK,
HAPPENING IN TRAVIS HEIGHTS
IS THAT THE PEOPLE IN THAT
AREA ARE BEING REPLACED WITH
HIGH CLASS WHITES.
BUT THE PEOPLE IN EAST
AUSTIN ARE NOT BEING
REPLACED WITH HIGHER CLASS
MEXICANS AND AFRICAN
AMERICANS.
THEY ARE BEING REPLACED BY
HIGH CLASS WHITE PEOPLE.
AND THAT MAKES A BIG
DIFFERENCE BECAUSE YOU
CAN — WE ARE RED LINED LIKE
JOE SAYS, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO
GET THE FUNDS, WE ARE SURELY
NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET
ANY BANK TO LOAN US $250,000
TO BUY A HOUSE.
THAT'S DEFINITELY NOT GOING
TO HAPPEN.
FOR ONE THING WE DON'T HAVE
THE INCOME.
THE BANKS HAVE BEEN RED
LINING US, THAT'S PROVEN
HISTORY FOR AS LONG AS I CAN
REMEMBER.
SO — THIS IS JUST A
DISPLACEMENT OF WHAT IS
HAPPENING AND HOW THE GROWTH
OF THE CITY ALONG WITH SMART
GROWTH PUSHING EVERYTHING TO
THE CENTRAL CITY WITHOUT
PROTECTING EAST AUSTIN WITH
RENT CONTROL FREEZE,
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISTRICT,
SO FORTH.
THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO
US.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS?
THOMAS: JUST AS YOU WERE
SAYING, WHAT OTHER AREA
BESIDES THAT AREA THAT YOU
CIRCLED THAT IT'S AFFECTING,
HOW MUCH — HOW MUCH MORE IS
IT AFFECTING IN —
WELL, IT'S UNFORTUNATE
BECAUSE THERE'S ANOTHER
HISTORIC ZONING DOWN ON
CESAR CHAVEZ, AND I'M SURE
AS THE NEW NEIGHBORHOODS,
CHESTNUT AND ALL OF THOSE
AREAS, ONE OF THOSE THINGS
THAT I HAVE NOTICED THROUGH
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
PROCESS IS ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT THEY DO IS THEY COME IN
AND DO — DO A SORT OF A
SCAN OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO
SEE WHAT ARE THE PERSPECTIVE
HISTORICAL — PROSPECTIVE
HISTORICAL SITES THAT COULD
BECOME HISTORICAL IN YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD.
WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
PROCESS THAT'S ALSO
HAPPENING.
SO ALL OF EAST AUSTIN IS
GOING TO BE IMPACTED.
IF THEY ARE ALREADY LOOKING
IN JAS, GOVALLE, UP TO 183,
I CAN ASSURE YOU WE ARE
GOING TO FEEL THE SAME
EFFECT.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO
FIGHT WITH ALL OF OUR MIGHT
TO GET THE HISTORIC ZONING
OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY UNLESS
THERE ARE SOME PARTICULAR
SAFEGUARDS PUT IN PLACE.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MR. MARCUS DELEON,
FOLLOWING MR. DE LEON
MS. KATHRYN STARK.
COMMISSIONER DELEON, IS HE
HERE?
OKAY.
KATHRYN STARK.
Kathryn stark.
Is she here.
Jennifer gale.
Congratulations city
manager,.
FUTRELL:, should you need
any help, feel free to ask.
Mayor Garcia,
councilmembers,
COUNCILMEMBER SLUSHER THANK
YOU FOR YOUR COMPLIMENTS.
THAT'S WHAT I AM GOING TO
HAVE TO HOLD ON TO UNTIL I
RUN FOR MAYOR THIS COMING
YEAR.
COUNCILMEMBER BEVERLY
GRIFFITH.
YOU DID A GREAT MANY THINGS
WELL ON THIS CITY COUNCIL,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
TO MY VOLUNTEERS AND
SUPPORTERS, IT DOESN'T
MATTER WHERE THEY ARE
LISTENING OR NOT, ONLY THAT
WE CARE AND THAT YOU CARED
ENOUGH TO VOTE.
THE AUSTIN
AMERICAN-STATESMAN PRINTED
AN ARTICLE EARLY ON IN THE
CAMPAIGN THAT WAS UNTRUE.
NONE OF THE FACTS WERE TRUE.
THE INFORMATION THAT WAS
TRUE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BEARING
ON WHETHER OR NOT I COULD
RUN FOR THE AUSTIN
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
SO THE AUSTIN
AMERICAN-STATESMAN DOESN'T
COVER THE SELECTION AS I
SPOKE WITH THEIR — WITH
THEIR MEMBERS.
LEAH QUNN AND STEVEN
SCHIEBLE THEY DIDN'T PRINT
ANYTHING.
DON'T FEEL BADLY THAT YOU
DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE
CANDIDATES, THEY WEREN'T
BEING REPORTED ON OF THE
CHANNEL 8 ONLY CAME IN ON
THE LAST FEW DAYS.
BUT I THINK CHANNEL — BUT I
THANK CHANNEL 8 ANYWAY FOR
COVERAGE THAT WE DID
RECEIVE.
HOWEVER, THERE ISN'T ANY
EXCUSE FOR CHANNEL 24 NOT
BEING THERE.
THEY SAY THEY ARE THE BEST
IN AUSTIN.
THAT THEY HAVE A COMMITMENT
TO AUSTIN.
BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT
COMMITMENT.
CHANNEL 42 WASN'T THERE.
ALTHOUGH THEY WERE THERE
WHEN I RAN FOR MAYOR LAST
YEAR.
CHANNEL 36 WASN'T THERE.
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE
BEST.
SO THEY ARE NOT COVERING OUR
CANDIDATES HERE IN AUSTIN.
SO THEY ARE NOT REALLY
AUSTIN RADIO STATIONS AND
I'M ASKING THE CITY COUNCIL
AGAIN TO SPEAK WITH THESE
MEDIA OUTLETS TO HAVE THEM
COVER ALL OF THE CANDIDATES
AND I HOPE THAT YOU CONSIDER
THE IDEA OF — OF HAVING
MAILOUTS TO ALL OF THE
PEOPLE OF AUSTIN SO THAT
THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT EACH
INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATE WISHING
TO REPRESENT THEM.
AND I WANT TO THANK ROLANDO
PINA FOR A WONDERFUL FRONT
PORCH THIS YEAR. IT WAS A
LOT OF FUN.
THANK YOU, AUSTIN.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
MS. GALE.
MR. GAVINO FERNANDEZ,
WELCOME, SIR.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR,
COUNCIL, MY NAME IS GAVINO
FERNANDEZ WITH EL CONCILIO.
A COALITION OF MEXICAN
AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATIONS.
I, TOO, AM CONCERNED ABOUT
THIS — ABOUT THIS LAND
ROBBING TACTIC THAT'S —
THAT'S BEING USED TODAY IN
TODAY'S ERA IN REGARDS TO —
TO ZONING, THEY ARE USING
HISTORICAL ZONING FOR SOME
OF THESE HOMES.
AS I SPEAK TODAY, THERE'S A
CASE ON HASKELL, WE ARE
TRYING TO FIND OUT, WELL,
THE OWNER DIDN'T REQUEST
HISTORICAL ZONING, WE ARE
TRYING TO FIND OUT WHO DID
AND WHY.
AND A LOT OF THESE SYMPTOMS
ARE UNFORTUNATELY STARTING
TO BECOME REALITY IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN
WARNING YOU ABOUT THE
EFFECTS, THE SIDE EFFECTS OF
SMART GROWTH.
I THINK THAT YOU HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY, WE HAVE A
LEGISLATURE THAT'S COMING
INTO TOWN.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO — FOR ONCE
IN MANY YEARS, USE THE
MONEYS FOR LOBBYING TO
PROTECT THE PEOPLE THAT WILL
BE AFFECTED BY THESE HOMES
BEING ZONED HISTORICAL.
THAT IS WHY IN THE STATEMENT
THAT I WROTE THAT I WAS
GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT, YOU
KNOW, PRETTY MUCH IS COMING
TO SURFACE AGAIN, BECAUSE
YOU ALL ARE THE ONES THAT
ARE SPONSORING, ENDORSING,
ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN.
AND — AND MANY PEOPLE IN
OUR COMMUNITY, LIKE SOME
FOLKS MENTIONED THAT ARE
SENIOR CITIZENS, ARE — YOU
ARE LEAVING THEM NO CHOICE
BUT FOR THEM TO BE — TO
SELL THEIR PROPERTIES AND
TO — TO BE MOVED ON PLACES
UNKNOWN.
AND IT — IT BOTHERS ME
BECAUSE — BECAUSE MANY OF
YOU HAVE WALKED AND BEEN IN
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND SOME
OF OUR FOLKS THAT I KNOW YOU
KNOW WALKED THE LINES AND —
PROTECTING UNDER THE
AUSPICES OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
BUT FOR SOME REASON, ONCE
YOU HAVE REACHED THAT
BARRIER, OF I-35,
EVERYTHING — EVERY RATIONAL
REASON WHY TO PROTECT THE
ENVIRONMENT, HELL, THE
SALAMANDER HAS MORE RESPECT
FROM Y'ALL THAN IT DOES —
FROM US.
AND IN OUR PROTECTION.
SO WHY IS IT THAT THIS
COUNCIL CAN'T GET THAT
CREATIVE?
AS YOU DO IN PROTECTING THE
SALAMANDER TO PROTECTING
HUMAN BEINGS?
THAT LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE MANY OF US ARE NOT
GOING ANYWHERE.
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH] SO I
HOPE THAT YOU WILL USE SOME
OF YOUR LEADERSHIP IN COMING
UP WITH TOOLS THAT AS WE DO
FACE GROWTH IN OUR
COMMUNITY, THAT THERE IS
SOME KIND OF BALANCE.
IN ORDER TO PROTECT AND
PRESERVE WHAT HAS MADE THIS
COMMUNITY UNIQUE.
[BUZZER SOUNDING]
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MR. FERNANDEZ.
HAS MR. ROBERT L. THOMAS
ARRIVED?
OR MR. — MR. ROLANDO PINA?
IF NOT, COUNCIL, THOSE ARE
ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AND
CITIZENS COMMUNICATION
GENERAL.
GOODMAN: MAYOR?
THOMAS: CAN I SAY
SOMETHING?
OH, WELL —
GOODMAN: I WILL DEFER —
WELL, I WILL WAIT FOR
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS TO —
MAYOR GARCIA: WHAT I
WANTED TO DO IS STATE BEFORE
I RECOGNIZE YOU, STATE THAT
THERE'S TWO ISSUES HERE.
ONE IS A TOUR, THAT'S
ORGANIZED BY THE HERITAGE
SOCIETY.
THE OTHER IS — IS ONE AS TO
HOW IT IS THAT — THAT
ISSUES COME UP BEFORE THIS
COUNCIL TO DESIGNATE
PROPERTIES AS HISTORIC, YOU
KNOW, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT
WAS BROUGHT UP, WAS — WAS
THAT — THAT THE OPENER DID
NOT REQUEST — THE OWNER DID
NOT REQUEST IT, THAT HIS
PROPERTY OR HER PROPERTY WAS
BEING ZONED HISTORIC.
IS THERE A PROCESS THAT YOU
CAN EXPLAIN TO THE COUNCIL,
REFRESH OUR MEMORIES AS TO
HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS?
MS. [INAUDIBLE] FROM OUR
STAFF.
I'M BARBARA STOCKLAND THE
CITY PRESERVATION OFFICER.
THERE'S — THERE'S TWO BASIC
WAYS THAT HISTORIC ZONING IS
INITIATED.
ONE IS THROUGH THE OWNER
APPLYING FOR HISTORY ZONING,
IT'S A ZONING OVERLAY THAT'S
ATTACHED TO THE BASE LAND
USE ZONING.
AS IN C.B.D.H., FOR EXAMPLE.
ABOUT 98% OF THE
HISTORICALLY ZONED
PROPERTIES IN AUSTIN ARE
OWNER INITIATED CASES.
THE SECOND WAY IS THE
LANDMARK COMMISSION CAN
ITIATE HISTORY ZONING.
WHEN THEY FEEL A PROPERTY IS
THREATENED OR WHEN OUR
OFFICE RECEIVES A
DEMOLITION, WHEN THE CITY
RECEIVES A DEMOLITION PERMIT
APPLICATION, ALL CITY PERMIT
APPLICATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO
BE PROCESSED THROUGH OUR
OFFICE.
IF — IF THE PROPERTY IS
IDENTIFIED THROUGH PREVIOUS
HISTORIC SURVEYS OF THE
CITY, WE HAVE A
COMPREHENSIVE CULTURAL
RESOURCE SURVEY.
IF IT'S BEEN PREVIOUSLY
IDENTIFIED AS A BUILDING
THAT MAY HAVE HISTORIC
POTENTIAL, WE ARE REQUIRED
TO BRING IT TO THE LANDMARK
COMMISSION.
FOR THEM TO HAVE A HEARING
ON IT.
THE HAND MARK COMMISSION,
IT — THE LANDMARK
COMMISSION, IT ALLOWS TIME
TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION,
TALK TO THE OWNERS, THAT
PROCESS ALLOWS US TO FIND
OUT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY
OF THE PROPERTY.
THE LANDMARK COMMISSION CAN
RELEASE A DEMOLITION PERMIT
OR [INAUDIBLE] IF THEY FEEL
LIKE A PROPERTY MAY HAVE
SIGNIFICANCE.
IT COMES BACK TO THEM AGAIN
TO MAKE A FORMAL
RECOMMENDATION.
IN MANY OF THOSE CASES THEY
DO NOT MAKE A RECOMMENDATION
ON IT.
THEY CAN GO AHEAD AND
RELEASE THE PERMIT.
THIS IS — THERE IS A PUBLIC
NOTIFICATION PROCESS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THOMAS: TWO THINGS ON
HISTORICAL.
I WOULD LIKE FOR STAFF TO
ADDRESS THAT.
ANOTHER THING I DO NEED TO
ASK, BECAUSE — BECAUSE I'VE
BEEN HEARING THE WORD
GENTRIFICATION FOR THE LAST
TWO YEARS.
WE DID HAVE A POLICY THAT WE
WERE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT AND
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
STAFF TO BRIEF ME
IMMEDIATELY WHEREAS THE —
WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE
GENTRIFICATION POLICY THAT
WAS SUPPOSED TO GO BACK TO
THE PLANNING AND WHATEVER.
I NEVER GOT AN ANSWER ON
THAT.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
THE JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION SUBMITTED A
REPORT TO YOU LAST JUNE.
THE — THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MADE
SOME ADDITIONAL
RECOMMENDATIONS IN — IN
DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR AND WE
FORWARDED THOSE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU.
THE — THE PLANNING
COMMISSION CONSIDERED THIS
IN JANUARY AND IS — IS
GOING TO BE FORWARDING SOME
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
TO YOU, THE TWO COMMITTEES
MET IN FEBRUARY AND
DISCUSSED AS PART OF AN
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY SOME
CODE AMENDMENT OPTIONS.
THEY — THEY RECEIVED
DIRECTION FROM THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO
DEVELOP THOSE OPTIONS MORE
FULLY.
AND BRING THEM BACK TO YOU
AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THAT
THOSE CODE AMENDMENTS MAY
ARRIVE ON YOUR AGENDA BY
AUGUST, THAT WOULD GIVE
SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE —
FOR THE CODES AND ORDINANCES
COMMITTEE OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION TO FULLY DEVELOP
THEM, SHARE THE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND — WITH
THE STAKE HOLDERS AND THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION FOR THE STAFF TO
DO A REVIEW AND FOR THOSE TO
APPEAR BACK ON YOUR AGENDA
IN AUGUST, THAT'S THE STATUS
OF THE REPORT THAT YOU
RECEIVED LAST JUNE.
GOODMAN: THANKS, MAYOR,
THAT REMINDED ME OF
SOMETHING THAT I WAS GOING
TO ASK FOR A PRESENTATION TO
COUNCIL, A COORDINATED
PRESENTATION ON SEVERAL
DIFFERENT COMPONENTS BEFORE
WE GET TO ANY KIND OF BUDGET
DECISION ON TAX RATES THIS
YEAR.
ONE OF THEM WOULD BE TO —
TO HAVE A REPEAT OF WHAT
MS. STOCKLAND JUST TOLD US,
BUT ALSO THEN TO WALK US
THROUGH, BRIEFLY, THE
CRITERIA THAT — AN HISTORIC
ZONING — THAT'S A BACKWARDS
SENTENCE, BUT YOU KNOW, THE
CRITERIA BY WHICH WE DECIDE
A HISTORIC ZONING.
THEN WHAT THE BENEFITS ARE
TO THE OWNER OF THAT
PROPERTY FROM HAVING THAT
HISTORIC ZONING AN THEN
RELATIVE TO THAT WHAT A
HISTORIC DISTRICT OR OTHER
HISTORIC LABELLING CAN DO
FOR THE AREA IN ADDITION TO
THE PARTICULAR PROPERTY
OWNER.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL OF
THAT, THEN IF WE COULD GET
SOMEBODY OVER FROM THE
TRAVIS COUNTY TAX APPRAISAL
DISTRICT, TO EXPLAIN TO US
THE CRITERIA THAT THEY USE
FOR ASSESSING PROPERTY
VALUES, WHAT COMP..... COMPARABLES
THEY USE, IF ANY, THERE ARE
SOME THINGS THAT WE AUTO
ASSUME THAT THEY ARE
ACTUALLY NOT SUPPOSED TO
USE, SO IT WOULD BE GOOD IF
THEY EXPLAINED TO US EXACTLY
HOW THEY DO INCREASE THE
PROPERTY VALUES, ON WHAT
BASIS, WHAT ASSUMPTIONS
THAT'S MADE.
THEN THE UMBRELLA ISSUE THAT
TIES IT ALL UP FOR ME DOES
HAVE TO DO WITH THE
LEGISLATURE, WHEN THEY COME
WACK TO — BACK TO TOWN.
BECAUSE WHEN A PROPERTY
OWNER IMPROVES THAT PROPERTY
OR NEIGHBORHOOD IS IMPROVED
AND IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF
LIFE FOR FOLKS WHO LIVE
THERE NOW, THEN IT'S NOT OUR
GOAL FOR THEM TO BE PRICED
OUT OF WHERE THEY LIVED AND
WHICH IN A NEIGHBORHOOD
THAT'S NOW BECOMING A NICER,
WHAT IT ALWAYS COULD HAVE
BEEN KIND OF NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO IN LOOKING FOR HOW WE
ADDRESS THE EQUITY AND
SUSTAINABILITY OF THE
NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD, I WOULD LIKE
US TO LOOK AT WHAT SORT OF,
IF NOT HISTORIC DISTRICT,
BECAUSE THAT IS — THAT HAS
SPECIFIC CRITERIA, WHAT SORT
OF NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT WE
COULD LOOK TO, TO WRITE
LEGISLATION AND TAKE TO THE
LEGISLATURE AND — AND GET
THEM TO HELP US FREEZE TAXES
OR — OR FOR CERTAIN KINDS
OF IMPROVEMENTS OR
STRUCTURES OR — OR
NEIGHBORHOODS OR DISTRICTS
OR WHATEVER, OR IN SOME
OTHER WAY BENEFIT THE OWNERS
AND CURRENT NEIGHBORS
THROUGH TAX INCENTIVES.
TALKING ABOUT FREEZING
THE VALUATIONS?
YEAH.
I HAD ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD
THAT THAT WAS NOT LEGAL IN
THE STATE OF TEXAS.
WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THAT
THERE MAY BE — I DON'T KNOW
WHETHER THAT'S A
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE OR
WHETHER THAT'S A STATE LAW.
DOES ANYBODY KNOW THAT?
GOODMAN: WELL, THERE
SEEMS TO BE AN OPINION ON
EITHER SIDE OF THAT.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
VERY GOOD.
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ?
ALVAREZ: YES, MAYOR.
I WAS GOING TO MAKE A
SIMILAR REQUEST TO THE MAYOR
PRO TEM ABOUT THE HISTORIC
ZONING AND PRESENTATION BY
THE — BY THE APPRAISAL
BOARD OR BY STAFF
INTERPRETING US TO WHAT THE
RULES OF THE APPRAISAL BOARD
ARE.
AND — AND ALSO I WANTED TO
SEE IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO
DO — TO DO AN ANALYSIS OF
WHETHER REALLY IT'S HISTORIC
ZONING THAT'S DRIVING UP THE
PRICES OR IF IT'S BLOCKS
PROXIMITY TO THE DOWNTOWN.
IF WE CAN DO — I DON'T KNOW
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT A
HALF MILE ON EACH SIDE OF
DOWNTOWN OR SOMETHING AND
SEE GENERALLY WHAT THE
INCREASES ARE AND — AND
THEN WE CAN COMPARE THAT TO
THE PROPERTY SURROUNDING THE
HISTORIC PROPERTY IT IS IN
THIS PARTICULAR AREA THAT
WAS IDENTIFIED FOR US AS
WELL.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
FURTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCIL, WE HAVE AN ITEM
THAT WE ALREADY DISCUSSED IN
EXECUTIVE SESSION AND I'M
GOING TO RECOGNIZE
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN FOR A
MOTION SO THAT WE CAN
DISPOSE OF THIS PARTICULAR
ITEM.
IT'S — YOU ALL HAVE
RECEIVED AN ORDINANCE ON
NUMBER 020509.
IF I CAN RECOGNIZE AT THIS
TIME COUNCILMEMBER WYNN WHO
IS A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL
COMMITTEE.
WE HAD A — WE HAD A MEETING
OF THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE TO
DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
THE COUNCIL.
WE MET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
TO DISCUSS THOSE ISSUES.
AND AT THIS TIME THE — THE
MEMBERS — COUNCILMEMBER
WYNN IS READY TO MAKE A
RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION.
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN?
WYNN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
ITEM NO. 20 IS, AS YOU SAID,
APPROVING A NEW COMPENSATION
PACKAGE FOR OUR MUNICIPAL
COURT CLERK, WHO SPENT
SEVERAL MONTHS NOW ACTUALLY
ANALYZING SEVERAL ISSUES
WITH OUR MUNICIPAL COURT.
THE — THE JUDICIAL
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS TO THE
COUNCIL, I WILL MAKE IT IN
THE FORM OF A MOTION, THAT
WE GIVE THE MUNICIPAL COURT
CLERK, REBECCA STARK,
A $5,000 MARKET ADJUSTMENT
IN INCREASE — INCREASE IN
HER SALARY, WHICH BRINGS IT
UP TO, I BELIEVE THE NUMBER
WOULD BE $85,745, THANK YOU.
ALSO BE DIRECTING MS. STARK
TO WORK WITH THE DEPUTY CITY
MANAGER THROUGH THE BLESSING
OF THE CITY MANAGER TO COME
FORWARD WITH A WORK PLAN
TO — TO WORK THROUGH
SEVERAL ISSUES RELATING TO
EMPLOYMENT ISSUES AND
ENVIRONMENT OVER IN THE
MUNICIPAL COURT AREA.
MAYOR GARCIA: I SECOND
THAT.
I'M SECONDING THE ORDINANCE.
THE SALARY THAT WAS
EXPLAINED BY COUNCILMEMBER
WYNN.
DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS?
IS SHE HERE, MAYOR?
MAYOR GARCIA: NO.
SHE — SHE ASKED US IF SHE
SHOULD BE HERE, I TOLD HER
THAT WE PROBABLY DIDN'T NEED
HER TO BE HERE.
WE EXPLAINED TO HER WHAT
THE — WHAT THE MOTION COULD
BE CONSIDERED HERE BY THE
COUNCIL.
SHE EXPRESSED AGREEMENT THAT
THAT WAS FINE WITH HER.
IF IN ESSENCE WE DID WHAT WE
TALKED TO HER ABOUT.
GOODMAN: OKAY.
MAYOR GARCIA: WE WILL BE
DISCUSSING THIS FURTHER AT
THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE
MEETING IN THE SUMMER.
AFTER MS. STARK AND
MR. [INAUDIBLE] WORK OUT THE
WORK PLAN.
GOODMAN: SORRY, MAYOR, AT
THIS TIME I WOULD HAVE
THANKED HER FOR ALL OF THE
THINGS THAT ARE WORKING VERY
WELL OVER AT THE COURT.
THEN WHEN WE HAVE OUR SORT
OF PREEVALUATION FOR NEXT
TIME, WHERE WE ARE LOOKING
AT SOME OF THE CHANGES IN A
WE WANT TO MAKE, I JUST
WANTED TO SAY THAT TO HER,
THANKS FOR THE OTHER AND
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU ON THE REST.
MAYOR GARCIA: SURE.
I'M SURE SHE'S WATCHING THE
COUNCIL MEETING IN HER
OFFICE.
SHE HAD OTHER THINGS SHE
NEEDED TO DO. THERE'S A
MOTION AND A SECOND ON THIS
ITEM NO. 20.
FURTHER DISCUSSION.
IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR,
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
OPPOSED, NO. MOTION CARRIES
ON A VOTE OF 7 TO 0.
THE MOTION, MS. BROWN,
WAS — WAS MADE BY
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN AND I
SECONDED THAT MOTION.
OKAY.
AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO
RECESS THE MEETING OF THE
AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AND CALL
TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE
TIME CERTAIN ITEM, THE
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF.
IRECTORS OF THE AUSTIN
HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION,
AND MR. HILGERS IS HERE
TO — TO WALK US THROUGH THE
ITEMS THAT WE HAVE ON THE
AGENDA.
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
ITEM NO. 1 IS TO APPROVE THE
MINUTES FOR THE CALL TO
MEETING ON APRIL THE 11th .
MAYOR GARCIA: IS THERE A
MOTION?
THOMAS: SO MOVE.
GOODMAN: SECOND.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION BY
BOARD MEMBER THOMAS BEING
SECONDED BY VICE-PRESIDENT
GOODMAN.
ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
OPPOSED NO.
MOTION CARRIES ON A VOTE OF
7 TO 0.
THANK YOU.
I FORGOT TO INTRODUCE
MYSELF, I'M PAUL HILGERS THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
OFFICER.
HERE TO BRING YOU FIVE
ADDITIONAL ITEMS TODAY.
ITEM NO. 2 IS TO APPROVE A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF
A DEFERRED PAYMENT LOAN IN
AN AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED 1,009,502 TO MARY LEE
COMMUNITY FOR THE
REHABILITATION OF 22 UNITS
AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF 8
NEW UNITS OF AFFORDABLE
RENTAL HOUSING FOR
LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AT 1322
AND 1324 LAMAR SQUARE DRIVE.
THIS PARTICULAR ACTION IS
ASSOCIATED WITH ITEM NO. 3,
OR EXCUSE ME, — YEAH, ITEM
NO. 3 OF AHFC, THEN THE ITEM
ON THE CITY COUNCIL'S AGENDA
FOR SOME BUDGET AMENDMENTS,
IT IS TO SUPPORT AN ITEM
THAT WE DID LAST YEAR WHEN
THEY — WHEN USED $500,000
AS A COMMUNITY HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION TO
ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY.
THESE PROPERTIES WILL BE
USED TO — TO SUPPORT VERY
LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
THE — THE 90% OF THE
FAMILIES THAT ARE IN THIS
COMMUNITY ARE BELOW 30% OF
MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME
CURRENTLY AND THAT PATTERN
WILL CONTINUE.
SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN ON
OUR TENANT BASED RENTAL
ASSIST.......TANSPROGRAM AS WELL —
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AS WELL
...
8 NEW UNITS CONSTRUCTED WITH
OUR LOCAL CODE, ALL 30 UNITS
COMPLIANT WITH THE SMART
HOUSING STANDARDS.
THIS IS BEING FUNDED
PURSUANT TO A PROPOSAL THAT
WAS RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO
OUR RENTAL HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.
OUR COMMUNITY HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
PROGRAM, NOTICES OF FUNDS
AVAILABILITY.
WITH THAT IF THERE ARE ANY
OTHER QUESTIONS, WE WOULD BE
GLAD TO ANSWER THEM AT THIS
TIME.
MAYOR GARCIA: A COUPLE OR
THREE QUESTIONS FOR YOU,
MR. HILGERS.
YES, SIR.
MAYOR GARCIA: THIS IS A
NOTE THAT IS 20 YEAR — 20
YEAR NOTE THEN A PROVISION
TO EXTEND IT FOR 20 YEARS.
THAT'S CORRECT.
NO INTEREST IN THE FIRST
20 YEAR PERIOD.
THAT'S CORRECT.
I SUSPECT NO INTEREST IN
THE SECOND 20 YEAR.
TO BE NEGOTIATED.
MAYOR GARCIA: SO BE
NEGOTIATED.
DO THEY HAVE REGULAR
PAYMENTS ON THE PRINCIPAL?
NO, SIR.
JUST 20 YEARS.
THIS IS A DEFERRED
PAYMENT LOAN.
THE WAY I DEFINE THIS, IT'S
A GRANT WITH CONDITIONS.
SO IT'S ACTUALLY — BUT WE
HAVE A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY.
SO WE ARE LOANING THEM THE
FUNDS FOR THIS PROPERTY TO
BE DEVELOPED, CONSTRUCTED OR
REHABILITATED FOR THE
PURPOSES FOR WHICH WE ARE
LOANING THE FUNDS.
MAYOR GARCIA: IF THEY
COMPLY WITH THOSE PROVISION,
THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE
LOAN BACK.
THAT'S CORRECT.
UNTIL 20 YEARS IS UP.
THEN WE WILL NEGOTIATE
WHETHER THEY PAY US OFF OR
WHETHER THEY WANT TO
CONTINUE SERVING THE
FAMILIES, PROVIDING THE
PUBLIC BENEFIT THAT THEY ARE
PROVIDING NOW TO RECEIVE —
MAYOR GARCIA: THIS SERVES
POPULATIONS IN WHAT INCOME
RANGES?
THIS ONE WILL SERVE
INCOME RANGES NO MORE THAN
50%, REALISTICALLY THEY
SERVE FAMILIES THAT
TYPICALLY ARE BELOW 30%.
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
ALL THOSE — WELL, IS THERE
A MOTION— HE ON ITEM NO. —
ON ITEM NO. 2.
THOMAS: SO MOVE.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION BY
BOARD MEMBER THOMAS, IS
THERE A SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ?
DISCUSSION?
IF NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY
BY SAYING AYE.
AYE.
MAYOR GARCIA: OPPOSED,
NO., MOTION CARRIES ON A
VOTE OF 7 TO 0.
MR. PRESIDENT, I
UNDERSTAND THAT I FAILED TO
ASK YOU TO APPROVE THE
MINUTES OF THE CALLED
MEETING ON APRIL THE 25th ,
WHICH I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO
AS WELL.
SO —
MAYOR GARCIA: I WILL
ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THAT
ONE.
GOODMAN: SO MOVE.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION BY
THE VICE-PRESIDENT.
I WILL SECOND THAT.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY
SAYING AYE.
AYE.
OPPOSED, NO. MOTION
CARRIES.
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
AHFC ITEM NO. 3 IS TO
APPROVE A RESOLUTION
AMENDING THE AHFC 2001-2002
BUDGET AND CONTRACT BETWEEN
THE AHFC AND THE CITY OF
AUSTIN TO TRANSFER $425,000
IN HOME FUNDS FROM THE
COMMUNITY HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM TO
THE COMMUNITY HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
RENTAL PROGRAM.
THIS IS A TECHNICAL
PROVISION TO ALLOW US TO
SHIFT SOME MONEY IN OUR
BUDGET TO BE MORE RESPONSIVE
TO THE DEMANDS THAT WE ARE
SEEING FROM OUR CHODS.
ESSENTIALLY IT WOULD ALLOW
US TO TRANSFER 223,892 TO
FUND THE MARY LEE PROJECT
THAT YOU JUST APPROVED AND
THE MAJORITY OF THE
PROPOSALS THAT WE ARE
RECEIVING FROM OTHER OTHER
COMMUNITY HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS
FALL INTO THE RENTAL
CATEGORY RATHER THAN THE
HOME OWNERSHIP CATEGORY, SO
THE AMENDMENTS WILL BE —
WERE — YOU ARE BEING
NOTIFIED OF THESE CHANGES,
THIS ACTION WOULD ALLOW
THOSE CHANGES TO BE CODIFIED
IN THE CONTRACT SO THAT WE
COULD RESPOND TO THE DEMAND
FOR MORE RENTAL PROPERTIES
THROUGH OUR CHODO'S THAN WE
HAVE CURRENTLY BEING
REQUESTED FROM THEM FOR HOME
OWNERSHIP.
MAYOR GARCIA: QUESTION
FOR MR. HILGERS?
I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON
ITEM AHFC 3.
GOODMAN: SO MOVED.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION BY
VICE-PRESIDENT GOODMAN.
IS THERE A SECOND?
ALVAREZ: SECOND.
MAYOR GARCIA: SECONDED BY
BOARD MEMBER ALVAREZ?
DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY
SAYING AYE. OPPOSED, NO.
MOTION CARRIES.
I'M GOING TO ADDRESS ITEM
NO. 4 AND ITEM NO. 5
TOGETHER.
BECAUSE THEY ARE SO
INTERDEFINED.
AIM — INTERTWINED.
AHFC ITEM NO. 4 TO APPROVE A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT
WITH HUFFMAN HOMES IN
CONNECTION WITH THE AUSTIN
HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION
GUARANTEE OF A LOAN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WELLS
FARGO BANK AND HUFFMAN
HOMES.
THE AM OF THE LOAN NOT TO
COMPETE $1 MILLION FROM
WELLS FARGO IS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A 56 LOT
SMART HOUSING COMPLIANT
MIXED INCOME HOUSING
SUBDIVISION LOCATED AT
HIGHWAY 183 AND MARTIN
LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD
KNOWN AS HERITAGE VILLAGE.
ITEM NO. 5 IS TO APPROVE A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF A AN AGREEMENT
WITH WELLS FARGO BANK TEXAS
TO GUARANTEE A LOAN FOR AN
AMOUNT NOT TO
EXCEED $1 MILLION FROM WELLS
FARGO BANK OF TEXAS TO
HUFFMAN HOMES.
PURPOSE OF THE LOAN IS TO
FINANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A
SMART HOUSING DIVISION
PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.
WE ARE BRINGING THIS ITEM
BACK TO THE BOARD AFTER THE
DISCUSSION THAT OCCURRED
WHEN YOU AUTHORIZED US TO
NEGOTIATE THESE CONTRACTS.
AND ASKED US TO COME BACK
FOR THE AUTHORIZATION TO
EXECUTE THESE CONTRACTS.
THIS IS A UNIQUE AND
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR US.
FOR A LOT OF REASONS.
IT ALLOWS HUFFMAN HOMES A
LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING
DEVELOPER TO BORROW UP
TO $1 MILLION FROM WELLS
FARGO BANK TO CREATE 51
UNITS, 51 HOUSE OF SINGLE
FAMILY MIXED INCOME HOUSING.
IT DOESN'T REQUIRE OR ASK
FOR ANY FEDERAL SUBSIDIES TO
MAKE THAT OCCUR.
IT DOES REQUEST SMART
HOUSING ASSISTANCE.
AHFC'S ROLE IS TO GUARANTEE
THE MILLION DOLLAR LOAN TO
HUFFMAN HOMES BASED ON THE
FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE
CORPORATION 689 THIS MEANS
AHFC DOES NOT ALLOCATE ANY
FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.
BECAUSE OF THIS THE PRIVATE
LOAN WILL BE REPAID BY
PROCEEDS EARNED FROM THE
SALE OF THE LOTS IN THE
SUBDIVISION.
ANY REVENUE GENERATED IN
EXCESS OF THE LOAN REPAYMENT
AMOUNT WILL BE USED FOR
OTHER AHFC AFFORDABLE
HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.
RICHARD HUFFMAN WILL REQUIRE
BUILDERS TO PAY, THIS IS ON
THE PROTECTION AND LIABILITY
ISSUES THAT WE ARE ASKED,
RICHARD HUFFMAN WILL BE
REQUIRED TO — REQUIRE
BUILDERS TO PAY A DEPOSIT
OF $5,000 UP FRONT PER LOT
AS A GUARANTEE OF THEIR
COMMITMENT TO BUILD.
THE AHFC HAS A WARRANTY DEED
WHEN ALLOWS THE AHFC TO TAKE
THE PROJECT OVER IN THE
EVENT THAT A DEFAULT IS NOT
CURED BY MR. HUFF MARGIN.
HUFFMAN HOMES WILL USE THE
PRIVATE FINANCING FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
ON THE SUBDIVISION WHICH
WILL FEATURE SMART HOUSING
HOMES BUILT BY VARIOUS LOCAL
BUILDERS, INCLUDING THE AHFC
HUFFMAN HOMES SMALL BUILDERS
AND NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS.
THE HOMES WILL VARY FROM TWO
TO FIVE BEDROOMS AND RANGE
FROM $70,000 TO $140,000.
ALL UNITS WE RESERVE FOR
FAMILIES EARNING LESS THAN
115% OR BELOW MEDIUM FAMILY
INCOME OR ABOUT 81,765 FOR A
FAMILY OF FOUR.
A MINIMUM OF 40% OF THE
HOMES WILL BE SOLD TO
FAMILIES EARNING 80% OR
BELOW THE MEDIAN FAMILY
INCOME.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT
OCCURRED FROM THE COMMUNITY
AND FROM THE COUNCIL WAS
ABOUT THE DESIGN CRITERIA OF
THESE HOMES.
AND PRIOR TO THE
CONSTRUCTION
AN ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
COMMITTEE WILL EVALUATE AND
APPROVE THE DESIGN
RENDERINGS FOR EACH HOME.
WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF — OF
THE KIND OF HOME THAT WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT HERE.
FOR YOU TO SEE.
MUCH CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN
GIVEN TO THE OVERALL DESIGN
AND LOOK OF THE DEVELOPMENT
ONCE ITS COMPLETE.
THESE INCLUDE AT A MINIMUM
REQUIRED, FRONT PORCH, A
ROOF PITCH OF 612 MINIMUM,
FRONT WALK, LANDSCAPING, A
NUMBER OF TREES ON THE LOTS.
THOSE ARE THE MINIMUM, SOME
OF THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
THAT WILL BE IN THE DESIGN
STANDARDS.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
US TO — TO TAKE ADVANTAGE,
FRANKLY, OF A DEVELOPER WHO
HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN
BUILDING IN-FILL LOTS,
GETTING INTO THE SUBDIVISION
BUSINESS.
HIS COMMITMENT TO
AFFORDABILITY IS REALLY
UNQUESTIONED AND HIS
WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US
IN OUR NON- PROFITS.
HE HAS OVER 14 BUILDERS
LINED UP TO GET INTO A
LOTTERY TO HELP BUILD THESE
LOTS.
IT'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF —
OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
SUBDIVISION THAT WE ARE
ANXIOUS TO SEE DUPLICATED
ALL OVER THE CITY.
SO IF MR. HUFFMAN IS HERE,
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS,
AT THIS POINT I WOULD LIKE
TO ASK FOR APPROVAL OF BOTH
ITEMS NUMBER 4 AND ITEM NO.
5.
MAYOR GARCIA:
MR. HILGERS, JUST ONE QUICK
QUESTION.
WHO OWNS THE LAND RIGHT NOW?
MR. HUFFMAN OWNS THE LAND
RIGHT NOW, SIR.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
QUESTIONS ON ITEMS AHFC 4
AND/OR 5?
THOMAS: YES, MAYOR.
SEE THAT MR. HUFFMAN
VISITED WITH THE
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND
EVERYTHING.
YES, SIR.
THOMAS: THIS MIGHT BE
[INAUDIBLE] TRAFFIC, BUT
BEGINNING AND COMPLETION OF
THIS PROJECT, DO YOU HAVE AN
ESTIMATE OF TIME?
TIME FRAME?
FROM THE TIME WE START
CONSTRUCTION OR FROM NOW?
WE HAD BETTER SAY SIX
MONTHS.
HE SAID FIVE, I WILL SAY
SIX.
[ LAUGHTER ]
THOMAS: OKAY.
TO BE COMPLETED IN SIX
MONTHS.
THOMAS: 56 HOMES.
51 HOMES.
EXCUSE ME?
IT'S 56 LOTS, BUT IT WILL
ACTUALLY BE 51 HOMES.
THE — THERE'S SOME GREAT
UNIQUE FEATURES ABOUT THIS
PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN
THAT THERE ARE FOUR LOTS
THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE
APPLYING, IF PARKS AND
RECREATIONS WANTS TO BUY IT,
IT'S ADJACENT TO A PARK.
THERE'S LOTS THAT ARE GOING
TO COMPLETE A HIKE AND BIKE
TRAIL OVER IN THAT AREA THAT
ARE GOING TO BE MADE
AVAILABLE.
SO THOSE ARE LOTS, 56 LOTS,
BUT WON'T ACTUALLY BE HOMES,
THAT'S THE DISCREPANCY IN
THE NUMBER OF LOTS.
THOMAS: I NOTICE CAVALIER
PARK, CONCERNED ABOUT THE
TRAFFIC IMPACT.
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, TEXDOT
HAVE A PROJECT THAT'S GOING
TO AFFECT THAT AREA, I THINK
IT WOULD HELP ENHANCE THE
TRAFFIC.
I THINK TEXDOT WANTS TO ADD
A LANE OR TWO.
AT 969.
SO — I GUESS WE NEED TO
EDUCATE THE — THE
COMMUNITY.
YES, SIR, WE WILL
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT,
SEE WHAT THE IMPACT IS ON
THAT.
THOMAS: OKAY.
THANK YOU.
GOODMAN: MAYOR, I WILL
MOVE APPROVAL THEN ON ITEM
NOS. 4 AND 5.
IF I COULD MAKE A BRIEF
COMMENT WHEN I GET A SECOND.
SECOND.
SECOND.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOVING
APPROVAL OF 4 AND 5?
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
ALVAREZ, IS THAT,?
OKAY.
DISCUSSION?
GOODMAN: YES, MAYOR.
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER — MAYOR — I
MEAN VICE-PRESIDENT GOODMAN.
GOODMAN: BACK WHEN THIS
FIRST CAME UP, I.. I WANTED TO
LOOK AT THE CONTRACT AND GET
A FEEL FOR HOW WE HAD
IMPROVED OR ADDED TO THE
KIND OF CONTRACT PROVISIONS
THAT WE — THAT WE USED TO
NORMALLY EXPECT AND EXECUTE.
AND MR. HILGERS AND STAFF
WERE KIND ENOUGH TO KEEP ME
IN THE LOOP ON THAT AND
MR. HUFFMAN WAS VERY
GRACIOUS ABOUT MAKING EXTRA
TRIPS TO CITY HALL AND EXTRA
MEETINGS.
I THINK THAT GIVEN SOME OF
THE — THE IDEAL SITUATIONS
THAT DIDN'T QUITE WORK OUT
TO BE IDEAL IN THE PAST,
THAT IT WASN'T UNTOWARD TO
ASK TO LOOK AT THAT LANGUAGE
AND SEE HOW OUR CONTRACTS
WERE — WERE EVEN BETTER AND
TIGHTER THAN WE COULD EVEN
HAVE EXPECTED BEFORE.
SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY I'M
GRATIFIED BY THAT, THE
CONTRACT LOOKS REALLY GOOD.
AND I THINK THIS IS A NEW
DAY AND I THINK IT'S A VERY
POSITIVE KIND OF MOVEMENT.
I HAVE KNOWN MR. HUFFMAN FOR
A LONG TIME.
HIS PROJECTS ARE OF
EXCELLENT QUALITY.
I THINK HE COMES INTO IT
WITH MORE GOOD WILL THAN THE
AVERAGE DEVELOPER.
I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR
THAT.
THANK MR. HILGERS AND HIS
DEPARTMENT FOR HOOKING UP
WITH HIM ON THIS.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
FURTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS?
IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR,
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.?
AYE.
OPPOSED, NO.
MOTION CARRIES.
GOOD LUCK, MR. HUFFMAN.
THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS
GREAT WORK.
IN THAT CRITICALLY IMPORTANT
AREA.
[ONE MOMENT PLEASE FOR
CHANGE IN CAPTIONERS]
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION
CARRIES.
LET ME RECOGNIZE
COUNCILMEMBER SLUSHER I
THINK ON ITEM NUMBER 51, IS
IT?
59?
THIS IS THE ITEM FOR THE
REVENUE AGENCY, THE
COLLECTION AGENCY FOR THE
MUNICIPAL COURT.
YOU STATE INDICATED YOU
MIGHT WANT TO QUESTION THIS.
I'D LIKE TO POSTPONE IT
FOR A WEEK IF WE COULD.
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ON IT.
I'LL MAKE THAT IN THE FORM
OF A MOTION.
MAYOR GARCIA: THERE'S A
MOTION TO POSTPONE ITEM 59
FOR ONE WEEK.
I'M TAKING THIS UP BECAUSE
WE HAVE A MUNICIPAL COURT
CLERK WHO MADE IT CLEAR,
THERE'S A MOTION AND A
SECOND TO POSTPONE FOR ONE
WEEK.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY
SAYING AYE.
OPPOSED NO.
IT WILL BE BACK ON THE
AGENDA TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY.
OKAY.
BACK TO THE REGULAR — I'LL
CALL BACK TO ORDER THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
AND THE FIRST ITEM IS THE
PREVIEW OF ITEMS FOR THE
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
CITY MANAGER?
FUTRELL: WE ACTUALLY HAVE
A FAIRLY LIGHT AGENDA NEXT
WEEK BECAUSE OF THE GRAND
OPENING CELEBRATION, SO WE
DON'T HAVE ANYTHING — OF
THE CONVENTION CENTER,
EXACTLY RIGHT.
MAYOR GARCIA: SO
COUNCILMEMBERS, IF Y'ALL
COULD KEEP THOSE ITEMS TO A
MINIMUM, THAT WAY WE CAN GET
OUT TO CELEBRATE THE
OPENING.
DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE AN
ITEM THAT NEEDS TO GET ON
NEXT WEEK?
JUST DESPERATELY NEEDS TO?
OKAY.
THE READING OF THE CONSENT
AGENDA, MS. BROWN?
BROWN: —
MAYOR GARCIA: BEFORE YOU
START, DO WE NEED TO HAVE
ITEM 17?
WE HAD THE BRIEFING ON THE
SEAHOLM DISTRICT MASTER PLAN
YESTERDAY, AND THEN WE HAVE
THE PUBLIC HEARING TODAY.
DO WE NEED TO HAVE THAT ONE,
CITY MANAGER?
FUTRELL: I WAS TOLD THAT
WE HAD A COUNCIL REQUEST FOR
JUST A VERY SHORT
PRESENTATION.
SLUSHER: MAYOR, I THOUGHT
WE SHOULD HAVE — NOT NOW,
BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE
PEOPLE COME DOWN TO SPEAK ON
IT, THEN WE SHOULD HAVE AT
LEAST A SHORT BRIEFING.
MAYOR GARCIA: AT THE SIX
OAK TIME CERTAIN?
SLUSHER: RIGHT, BEFORE
THE HEARING.
MAYOR GARCIA: ON ITEM 17,
MS. BROWN, WILL BE — WE
WILL TAKE IT UP IN
CONJUNCTION WITH ITEM NUMBER
93.
AND STAFF CAN BE READY TO
MAKE THAT PRESENTATION AT
6#T.
OKAY.
THE ITEMS THAT I SHOWN TO BE
PULLED AT THIS TIME ARE
ITEMS 34 BY COUNCILMEMBER
THOMAS, ITEM 38 BY
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS AND
MAYOR GARCIA.
59 BY COUNCILMEMBER WYNN AND
COUNCILMEMBER SLUSHER.
60 BY COUNCILMEMBER WYNN.
AND 91 BY COUNCILMEMBER WYNN
AND COUNCILMEMBER SLUSHER.
THE CONSENT AGENDA —
MAYOR GARCIA: 59 IS
POSTPONED.
WE ALREADY TOOK ACTION ON
THAT ONE.
BROWN: THE CONSENT
AGENDA.
ITEM 19, 21 — EXCUSE ME.
ITEM 19, 22 AND 23 HAVE BEEN
REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA.
THERE IS NO ACTION ON THEM
REQUIRED.
ITEM 21 IS ON THE CONSENT.
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 HAS
BEEN POSTPONED TO MAY 23rd.
ITEM 30 IS FOR SECOND AND
THIRD READING.
ITEM 31 SECOND AND THIRD
READING.
AND ITEM 32 SECOND AND THIRD
READING.
ITEM 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40,kO
41, 42, 43, 44,/u 45, 46.
AND I APOLOGIZE, MAYOR.
I FORGOT TO READ THE CHANGES
AND CORRECTIONS.
AND 46 IS ONE OF THOSE.
WHERE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT HAS
CHANGED FROM 36,437,430 TO
36,427,430.
ITEM 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52,
53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 61,
62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68,
69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75,
76.
ITEM 77 IS FIRST READING.
78.
MAYOR GARCIA: 77 IS FIRST
READING?
BROWN: YES, SIR.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
BROWN: 78, 79, 80, 81,
82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88,
89, 90 AND 92.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
ON ITEMS 35, 36, 38, 39, 40
AND 41, WE SOME QUESTIONS
FROM — WE HAD SOME
QUESTIONS FROM OUR OFFICE
AND WE HADN'T RECEIVED ALL
OF THE INFORMATION.
I'M GOING TO ASK MY STAFF IF
WE HAVE RECEIVED THAT
INFORMATION.
CAN WE LEAVE THIS ON CONSENT
OR DO WE NEED TO PULL THEM
FOR DISCUSSION?
IF WE COULD PULL THEM OFF
THE CONSENT AGENDA, ITEMS
35, 36, 38, 39, 40 AND 41,
AT LEAST TEMPORARILY.
MY STAFF MEMBERS ARE
DISCUSSING IT WITH ONE OF
THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS.
AND WE WILL — IF WE HAVE AN
ANSWER BEFORE — BEFORE WE
CONCLUDE THE CONSENT AGENDA,
WE'LL PUT THEM BACK.
SO I HAVE COMING OFF THE
CONSENT AGENDA IS 41, 40,
39, 38, 36 AND 35.
BROWN: MAYOR, I'VE JUST
RECEIVED SOME ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION.
77 IS FOR ALL THREE
READINGS, AND 80 IS FOR
FIRST READING.
MAYOR GARCIA: 77 — 77 IS
FOR ALL THREE?
YES.
AND 80 IT FOR FIRST
READING — 80 IS FOR FIRST
READING.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
BROWN: MAYOR,? THE REQUEST
IS TO PULL 80 AND 77.
NO CARRIERRINGCONNECT 1200
ARE ARE ARE ARE ARE.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
SO ON ITEM NUMBER 78, THAT
ONE IS ALSO ON CONSENT, AND
YOU'RE HERE IN FAVOR OF, SO
YOU'RE OKAY WITH IT.
OKAY.
ITEM NUMBER 85, THIS WAS
YOUR DAY, MR. MILBURN — I
MEAN MR. GILLMORE.
YOU DO NOT WISH TO SPEAK,
BUT YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF.
AND THIS ITEM IS ON CONSENT.
YOU DO NOT WISH TO SPEAK, DO
YOU, SIR?
THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 90, WE HAVE
GEORGEANA SELF WILSON, WHO
WISHES TO SPEAK.
MS. WILSON, WELCOME.
EVENING MAYOR AND
COUNCILMEMBERS.
WORRY JUST ASKING FOR YOUR
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF WAIVER
OF THOSE FEES FOR THE GREAT
AMOUNT ZION FUN WALK.
AND WE ARE HERE TO INVITE
YOU TO PARTICIPATE.
THAT'S ALL I NEED TO SAY,
MAYOR.
JUST ASK FOR YOUR UNANIMOUS
APPROVAL.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
MS. WILSON.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
ARE YOU STILL TEACHING THOSE
WONDERFUL CHILDREN AT
REAGAN?
YES, I AM.
THANKS VERY MUCH.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU.
MS. BROWN, ITEM 35, 36, 39,
40 AND 41 CAN GO BACK ON
CONSENT.
ALL THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN
ANSWERED.
34 AND 38 ARE STILL
DISCUSSION ITEMS.
THIS IS THE MOST MESSED UP
AGENDA I'VE EVER HAD IN A
LONG TIME.
SO 35 IS ON CONSENT, 36 ON
CONSENT, 39 IS ON CONSENT,
40 IS ON CONSENT AND 41 IS
ON CONSENT.
ARE THERE — IS THERE ANY
SPEAKERS HERE TO SPEAK ON
ALL THOSE ITEMS?
I DON'T HAVE ANY CARDS HERE
FOR ANY OF THOSE ITEMS.
I HAVE CARDS — WE STILL
HAVE 63 THAT THEY ARE
DISCUSSING.
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN, I GUESS
YOU MAY WANT TO JOIN ME IN
PULLING THAT ONE.
IT THE ONE YOU HAD QUESTIONS
ON, THE LONGHORN CAR/TRUCK
RENTAL.
WYNN: YES, SIR.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: ON ITEM
NUMBER 91, THAT IS AN ITEM
THAT'S BEEN PULLED BY
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN, SO THOSE
SPEAKERS WILL BE RECOGNIZED
THERE.
AND ITEM NUMBER 92 HAS BEEN
POSTPONED UNTIL THE 27th OF
JUNE, SO WE DON'T NEED TO
RECOGNIZE YOU ON THAT ONE.
DO YOU NEED TO SPEAK?
NO?
OKAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY
WANTS TO ASK HIM QUESTIONS,
BUT THAT ITEM IS ON CONSENT.
THERE YOU ARE.
IT'S ON CONSENT, SO IT'S
GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE AND
WE'RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO
THAT GREAT FESTIVAL IN
ZILKER PARK.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS THAT
WE HAVE ON THE CONSENT
AGENDA.
MS. BROWN, I'M GOING TO READ
THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT
WATCH ME CLOSELY, OKAY?
I MAY GO OFF THE DEEP END ON
THIS ONE.
STARTING WITH ITEM NUMBER
21.
22 AND 23 ARE REMOVED FROM
THE AGENDA.
24 IS ON CONSENT, 25, 26,
27, 28, 29 IS CONSENT FOR
POSTPONEMENT UNTIL MAY 23rd.
30 FOR SECOND AND THIRD
READINGS.
31 FOR SECOND AND THIRD
READINGS.
32 FOR SECOND AND THIRD
READINGS.
33, 35, 36, 37.
38 HAS BEEN PULLED, CORRECT?
BROWN: YES.
MAYOR GARCIA: BY
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS.
39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
46 WITH A CORRECTION SHOULD
BE 36,427,430.
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT MAY BE
NEW TO THESE COUNCILMEMBERS,
LET ME SAY THAT THAT'S THE
TOTAL AMOUNT.
THE AMOUNT OF THIS
PARTICULAR ITEM IS ONLY
127,430.
AND THE COUNCIL HAS REVIEWED
THIS AND HAS NO QUESTIONS,
SO IT'S READY FOR CONSENT
VOTE.
47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53,
54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 FOR A
POSTPONEMENT FOR ONE WEEK.
77 IS FOR FIRST READING, 78,
80 FOR ALL THREE READINGS,
81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
HAS BEEN PULLED.
88, 89, 90 AND 92.
AND ON THIS CONSENT AGENDA I
WANT TO BE SHOWN AS — ON 90
I WANT TO BE SHOWN AS
ABSTAINING.
I SENT A MEMORANDUM TO THE
COUNCIL.
THIS IS NOT TO DO WITH THIS
PARTICULAR APPLICATION, IT
HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT
WE HAVE HAD MANY FEE
WAIVERS, AND I'VE DECIDED TO
ABSTAIN ON ALL OF THEM FROM
NOW UNTIL WE FINISH THIS
YEAR, SO GUS GARCIA WILL BE
SHOWN ABSTAINING.
BROWN: MAYOR, IF I COULD
ADD TWO THINGS TO WHAT YOU
READ.
92 IS ON CONSENT, BUT AS A
POSTPONEMENT TO JUNE 27th.
AND ITEM 19 IS ON CONSENT,
JUST SHOWING THAT IT IT'S
BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA
ALTOGETHER.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
PLEASE NOTE THOSE
CORRECTIONS, COUNCILMEMBERS?
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN?
WYNN: I CAN ADD 60 BACK
TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT I
WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK BRIEFLY
TO IT.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
ITEM NUMBER 60 IS BACK ON
THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND I'LL
RECOGNIZE COUNCILMEMBER
WYNN.
WYNN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THIS IS A CONCESSIONAIRE'S
CONTRACTOR THREE OF OUR
FOUR MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSES,
FOREST WILLIAMS, JIMMY CLAY
AND ROY KAISER.
MY INITIAL QUESTION OF STAFF
WAS HAD THIS CONTRACT BEEN
REMOVED BY THE GOLF ADVISORY
BOARD?
THE ANSWER WAS NO IN THAT
THAT BOARD DOESN'T REVIEW
CONTRACTS.
MY TAKE IS THIS WAS SORT OF
A DIFFERENT BECAUSE BEING A
CONCESSIONAIRE'S CONTRACT,
IT'S WHO IS GOING TO BE OUR
PARTNER IN THOSE CLUBHOUSES
AND WHO IS GOING TO BE
INTERACTING WITH THE PUBLIC
AND WHO IS GOING TO BE
SETTING THE PRICES FOR COKES
AND SNACKS AND WHATNOT AT
THOSE PUBLIC GOLF COURSES,
SO I FRANKLY TAKE A LITTLE
BIT OF EXCEPTION THAT IT
SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE TO THE
ADVISORY BOARD, BUT IN THE
MEANTIME I VISITED WITH
STAFF AT LENGTH AND THE
CONCESSIONAIRE IS A VERY
GOOD ONE, HAS THE SUPPORT OF
A BUNCH OF INDIVIDUAL
GOLF.
IT DIDN'T GO THROUGH THE
FORMAL BOARD PROCESS, BUT I
WOULD SUGGEST IN THE FUTURE,
EVEN THOUGH TECHNICALLY IT'S
A CONTRACT, I WOULD THINK IT
MORE AS A PARTNERSHIP,
AND — BECAUSE THERE ARE
FRONGLY AS MANY
INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS
BETWEEN OUR PUBLIC AND
SOMEBODY AT OUR GOLF COURSES
LIKE THEY WILL BE WITH THE
CONCESSIONAIRE EMPLOYEES
LIKE THE OTHER EMPLOYEES SO
WE SHOULD TAKE A LITTLE MORE
SUBJECTIVE EFFORT AND SOME
TIME ON THIS.
BUT THEY'RE GOOD
CONCESSIONAIRE.
IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE
PROFITABLE TO OUR GOLF FUND
AND TO OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT
AND I'M GLAD THEY PUT IT
BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MAYOR GARCIA: ITEM NUMBER
60 IS BACK ON THE CONSENT
AGENDA.
IS THERE A MOTION ON THE
CONSENT AGENDA?
GOODMAN: MOVE APPROVAL.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION BY
THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
WYNN.
FURTHER DISCUSSION?
THE CITY MANAGER HAS
INFORMED ME THAT ON ITEM
NUMBER 63, MS. BRUBAKER
COULD HAVE AN ANSWER.
MS. BRUBAKER, CAN YOU WORK
IT ALL OUT?
YES, I DID.
THE GENTLEMAN THAT I SPOKE
WITH HAD A COPY OF THE
AGREEMENT THAT YOU TYPICALLY
WOULD SIGN WHEN YOU GO IN
AND SIGN A CAR RENTAL
AGREEMENT.
THIS WOULD NOT BE THE
AGREEMENT THAT THE CITY
WOULD FIND, ONCE WE GET
PERMISSION FROM YOU ALL TO
AWARD THE CONTRACT, WE WILL
CALL FOR HIS INSURANCE
CERTIFICATE.
AND THE CERTIFICATES OF
INSURANCE HAVE TO COVER ALL
OF THE REQUIREMENTS
SPECIFIED IN THE BID.
THE CONTRACT SIGNED THIS
THEN WILL BE A CITY CONTRACT
AND NOT A VENDOR CONTRACT.
BECAUSE THIS ONE DOES HAVE
SOME DIFFERENT KINDS OF
THINGS, WE WOULD HAVE THOSE
CERTIFICATES REVIEWED BY THE
RISK MANAGER DOWNSTAIRS BY
AN INSURANCE PERSON.
SO IF HE DOESN'T — IF HE
TAKES EXCEPTION TO THE
REQUIREMENTS ON THE
INSURANCE SESHT, IT WON'T BE
APPROVED AND WE WON'T
EXECUTE A CONTRACT.
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN, YOU HAD
ASKED THE QUESTION ON THIS
ONE.
WYNN: WITH THAT RESPONSE,
MAYOR, I WILL PUT IT BACK ON
CONSENT.
MAYOR GARCIA: ITEM 63 IS
BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A
SECOND ON THE CONSENT
AGENDA, THE MAYOR PRO TEM
MADE THE MOTION,
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN SECONDED
IT.
FURTHER DISCUSSION?
IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR,
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE.
MAYOR GARCIA: OPPOSED NO?
MOTION CARRIES, AND SHOW ME
ABSTAINING ON ITEM NUMBER
90, I THINK IT WAS.
YEAH.
I'M MAKING SOME NOTES HERE.
YOU ALL BEAR WITH ME.
IF WE COULD TAKE THE
APPROVAL MINUTES FROM THE
WORK SESSION FROM APRIL 24,
2002 AND THE REGULAR MEETING
OF MAY 4.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR
CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES?
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY
SAYING AYE?
OPPOSED NO.
MOTION CARRIES ON A VOTE OF
7 TO 0.
AT THIS TIME, CITY ATTORNEY,
IF YOU COULD HELP ME, WE'RE
GOING TO GO BACK INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE
LEFT ARE ITEMS NUMBER 2,
DISCUSS LEGAL ISSUES RELATED
TO LONGHORN PARTNERS
PIPELINE LP VERSUS THE CITY
OF AUSTIN, THE ALL, CASE
NUMBER A-02-CA-001-SS AND
ETHYL SPILLAR, ET AL, VERSUS
LONG HOMEOWNER PARTNERS PIPE
LIEN, ET AL, CASE NUMBER
A-98-CA-255-SS IN THE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF
TEXAS, AUSTIN DIVISION, AND
OTHER LEGAL ISSUES RELATED
TO HAZARD DOUSE PIPELINES.
AND NUMBER THREE IS DISCUSS
LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE
2001 BFI SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT.
BOTH THOSE ITEMS ARE PRIVATE
CONSULTATION ITEMS WITH OUR
ATTORNEY AUTHORIZED UNDER
SECTION 551.0071.
AND THEN UNDER THE REAL
PROPERTIES SECTION, DISCUSS
ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY
100 ACRES OF LAND IN
SOUTHEAST AUSTIN, TRAVIS
COUNTY.
AND THOSE ARE THE TWO ITEMS.
ITEM NO. 5 WE ALREADY TOOK
ACTION WHEN WE CONSIDERED
ITEM NUMBER 20.
AT THIS TIME BEFORE WE GO
INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION,
WE'RE GOING TO CALL UP ITEM
NUMBER 91 FOR A BRIEF
PRESENTATION OF THAT, I'M
GOING TO ASK COUNCILMEMBER
THOMAS.
I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS.
THIS IS FOR — THIS FOR
PURPOSES OF DISCUSSION, THIS
ITEM READS AND FOLLOWS:
THOMAS: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
MAYOR GARCIA: ARE YOU
GOING TO DO A READING OF THE
ITEM?
THOMAS: NO.
I THINK COUNCILMEMBER WYNN
AND COUNCILMEMBER SLUSHER
HAD PULLED IT, BUT I WILL
SAY THE REASON WHY THE
RESOLUTION WAS TO ASK THE
CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE
NATIONAL EFFORTS TO
ENCOURAGE THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE THE
MINIMUM WAGE TO A LIVING
WAGE.
AS YOU KNOW, HERE IN AUSTIN
WE HAVE INCREASED OUR LIVING
WAGE FOR PERMANENT EMPLOYEES
TO $9 AN HOUR.
EVENTUALLY WE NEED TO, AND
WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT AS
SOON AS WE CAN, IS INCREASE
THE COST OF HOUSING AND
MAYBE INCREASE THE WAGES
TO $10.60.
ALSO, IF MR. RICHARD TROXELL
HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PASS
OUT SOME THINGS, IT'S
NOTHING I WOULD LIKE TO ASK
THE CITY STO DO RIGHT NOW,
BUT WE CAN PLEDGE TO WORK
TOWARDS THOSE, THOSE GOALS
THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
IS TRYING TO IMPLEMENT.
AND IF YOU WOULD ALLOW
MR. RICHARD TROXELL
SOMETHING TO SAY.
WE DO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION TO PASS OUT THAT
WILL HOPEFULLY —
MAYOR GARCIA: LET ME ASK,
MR. HOLLY, MR. WALLACE,
MR. SHER AND MS. WOOD IF YOU
WOULD CONSENT TO RECOGNIZING
MR. TROXELL FIRST BECAUSE
HE'S THE THIRD SPEAKER.
IS THAT ALL RIGHT WITH YOU
GUYS?
THE ITEM READS AS FOLLOWS.
APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO
ENDORSE AND FULLY SUPPORT
THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE TO AN
AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE UNIVERSE
AL LIVING WAGE FORMULA WHICH
ENSURES THAT A 40-HOUR PER
WEEK MINIMUM WAGE WORKER CAN
LEAST AFFORD AN EFFICIENCY
APARTMENT IN THE UNITED
STATES WHILE NOT SPENDING
MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR
INCOME ON HOUSING.
MR. TROXELL, WELCOME, SIR.
THANK YOU, SIR.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS.
I'LL MAKE MY COMMENTS VERY
BRIEF.
OUR GOAL IS TO FIX THE
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.
AND WITH BELIEVE IF WE DO
THAT, ONCE WE HAVE DONE
THAT, WE WILL ENABLE
CITIZENS TO WORK THEMSELVES
OFF THE STREETS OF AUSTIN.
IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE OF 5.15
AN HOUR IS NOT ENOUGH FOR
ANYONE TO GET INTO HOUSING.
NOW, THAT'S NOT MY OPINION,
THAT'S THE OPINION OF THE
LAST TWO CONFERENCE OF
MAYORS' REPORTS.
WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH
THE COUNCIL TODAY
SPECIFICALLY IS THE IDEA
THAT WE WOULD LIKE THE
COUNCIL TO BE THE FIRST
MUNICIPALITY IN THE UNITED
STATES TO JOIN ORGANIZATIONS
ACROSS AMERICA THAT INCLUDE
BUSINESSES, RELIGIOUS
GROUPS, UNIONS AND OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE
ALREADY ENDORSED THIS IDEA
AND THIS FORMULA TO FIX THE
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.
AND WE'D LIKE THIS TO BE THE
FIRST MUNICIPALITY IN
AMERICA TO ENDORSE THIS
CONCEPT AND SAY TO THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STOP
SENDING US HOMELESS PEOPLE.
WE CANNOT AFFORD THE FACT
THAT YOU CANNOT FIX THE
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.
AS LONG AS YOU TIP TO KEEP
IT AT AN AMOUNT THAT IS LESS
THAN THAT IS NECESSARY SO
THAT SOMEONE WORKING A FULL
40-HOUR WEEK CAN GET
HOUSING, THEN YOU'RE
CREATING HOMELESS PEOPLE.
THAT MEANS WE MUST RESPOND
BY CREATING HOMELESS
RESOURCE CENTERS.
THIS MUNICIPALITY AND ITS
TAXPAYERS MUST PAY FOR
HOMELESS SHELTERS.
WE MUST PAY FOR FOOD STAMPS.
WE MUST PAY THE EARNED
INCOME TAX CREDITS.
WE MUST PAY, WE MUST PAY, WE
MUST PAY.
WE'RE A MUNICIPALITY.
WE NEED RELIEF FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
STYMIED.
IT CANNOT CREATE ONE SINGLE
AMOUNT THAT IS APPROPRIATE
IN EVERY CITY ACROSS AMERICA
WITHOUT SIMULTANEOUSLY
HURTING SMALL BUSINESS.
WE HAVE DESIGNED A SINGLE
FORMULA THAT IS INDEXED TO
THE LOCAL COST OF HOUSING,
WHICH ENSURES THAT ANYONE
WHO WORKS A 40-HOUR WEEK, NO
MATTER WHAT CITY OR WHAT
URBAN AREA OR WHAT RURAL
AREA THEY'RE IN, IF THEY
WORK 40 HOURS, THEY WOULD BE
ABLE TO AFFORD HOUSING IN
THAT AREA.
NOW, SOME BUSINESSES AND
SOME MUNICIPALITIES HAVE
ALREADY TOLD US, AND SOME
NONPROFITS, WELL, WE'RE
TRYING TO GET THERE.
WE HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN TO
THAT POINT.
OUR CITY HAS —
MAYOR GARCIA: SOMEBODY
WANTS TO GIVE YOU TIME?
PUT THREE MORE MINUTES ON
THERE FOR MR. TROXELL.
AND THAT WAS DONATED BY
CELIA WOODS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR AND
CELIA WOOD.
SO WHAT WE HAVE SAID AND
WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW, AND
WE'RE DOING THIS THROUGH OUR
WEBSITE, IS WE ARE SAYING TO
THESE NONPROFITS AND TO
THESE BUSINESSES, WE
APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU
ESPECIALLY FACE AND YOU
ENDORSE WHAT WE ARE DOING.
AND WE APPRECIATE THE FACT
THAT YOU HAVE BUDGETARY
CONCERNS AND THAT YOU NEED
TIME TO ADJUST YOUR BUDGETS
TO THAT YOU CAN PAY YOUR
EMPLOYEES THE AMOUNT THAT IS
NECESSARY PER YOUR LOCAL.
SO THAT END WE HAVE PROVIDED
A TWO-PARAGRAPH PLEDGE SO
THAT BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS,
MUNICIPALITIES CAN SAY YES,
WE WANT TO END HOMELESSNESS,
WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT ANY
MINIMUM WAGE WORKER WHO
WORKS A 40-HOUR WOULD WEEK
WOULD AT LEAST BE ABLE TO
PUT A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS,
BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE
NOT THERE YET, BUT WE ARE
WILLING TO PLEDGE TO ENDORSE
THIS AND WE WILL PLEDGE TO
WORK OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS
TO BRING OUR BUDGETS ONLINE.
WE HAVE PROVIDED THIS
INFORMATION, THIS PLEDGE TO
THIS CITY COUNCIL.
WE ARE NOT ASKING ANYTHING
OF THIS CITY COUNCIL THAT
HAS AN IMMEDIATE FISCAL
IMPACT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT
ASKING TO PASS A UNIVERSAL
LIVING WAGE TODAY.
WE ARE ASKING THIS CITY TO
SEND A MESSAGE TO THE UNITED
STATES CONGRESS THAT THIS
CITY WANTS FISCAL RELIEF.
WE WANT YOU TO FIX THE
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE SO THAT
IT RELATES DIRECTLY TO THE
NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE, THE
WORKING PEOPLE TO ACCESS
HOUSING IN THIS COUNTRY.
NOT JUST THROUGH A PROGRAM,
BUT THROUGH THEIR OWN BLOOD,
SWEAT AND TEARS.
IT COSTS THIS CITY NOTHING.
IT IS THE MORAL THING TO DO.
IT IS THE ETHICAL THING TO
DO.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBLE THING
TO DO TO US AS TAXPAYERS.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS
TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM SO
THAT OUR FISCAL BURDEN CAN
BE LESSENED SO THAT OUR
DUTIES TO REPRESENT ALL
PEOPLE, INCLUDING ALL POOR
PEOPLE, CAN BE HONORED AND
CARRIED FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
MAYOR GARCIA: THIS
MINIMUM WAGE OF 5.15 WAS
ESTABLISHED WHEN?
WELL, THIS IS 2002.
THIS WAS IN 1987 — 1997,
PARDON ME.
MAYOR GARCIA: 15 YEARS.
1997.
MAYOR GARCIA: 97?
YES, SIR.
MAYOR GARCIA: BUT IT WAS
MOVED FROM SOMETHING
SLIGHTLY BELOW THAT, RIGHT?
IT WAS FOUR AND A QUARTER
PRIOR TO THAT.
AND PRIOR TO THAT — THE
FIGURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN
PULLED FROM THE AIR AND HAS
BEEN DETERMINED SOLELY BY
POLITICAL PRESSURES.
IT IS NEVER RELATED TO ANY
INDEX.
MAYOR GARCIA: 5.15 WAS
SET UP IN —
'97.
MAYOR GARCIA: SO IT'S
BEEN FIVE YEARS.
YES, SIR.
IN THAT FIVE YEARS, WHAT YOU
KNOW IS THAT WE'VE HAD
SPIKING POCKETS OF INFLATION
IN OUR URBAN AREAS
THROUGHOUT THE UNITED
STATES, SO THAT, FOR
EXAMPLE, IN AUSTIN
EVERYTHING ELSE HAS INFLATED
EXCEPT THE WAGE, BECAUSE THE
DISPARITY IS SO GREAT,
CONGRESS CANNOT CAPTURE ONE
SINGLE FIGURE THAT WILL GET
PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS OF
WASHINGTON, D.C. ON THE DAY
IT'S PASSED AT THE SAME TIME
WITHOUT HURTING SMALL
BUSINESSES IN HARLINGEN,
TEXAS OR BILOXI,
MISSISSIPPI.
SO USING THEIR PAST
PRACTICE, THEY CAN'T FIGURE
OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THIS.
SO WE'RE SAYING LET'S BE
INNOVATIVE, LET'S BE
CREATIVE.
LET'S USE EXISTING
GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, WHICH
IS THE FAIR MARKET RENT,
WHICH MEANS THAT THIS WOULD
RELATE TO THE COST OF LOCAL
HOUSING.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
RICHARD.
SUSAN HOLLY?
AND FOLLOWING MS. HOLLY IS
MR. ROBERT WALLACE.
AND COUNCILMEMBERS, AS SOON
AS WE FINISH WITH THIS ITEM,
WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GUEST
HERE FROM AUSTIN, MINNESOTA,
AND WE'LL BE INTRODUCING HIM
IN JUST A MINUTE.
HI.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
TO MAYOR GUS GARCIA AND CITY
COUNCILMEMBER DANNY THOMAS
IN ASKING THAT THE COUNCIL
APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO
INDOPPLER FORCE THE FEDERAL
MINIMUM WAGE IN AN AMOUNT
EQUAL TO THE UNIVERSAL
LIVING WAGE FORMULA WHICH
ENSURES THAT THE A 40 HOUR
MINIMUM WAGE WORKER CAN
AFFORD A EFFICIENCY
APARTMENT IN THE UNITED
STATES WHILE NOT SPENDING
MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR
INCOME ON HOUSING.
I THINK IT'S VERY HUMAN
INSTEAD OF INHUMANE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
MS. HOLLY.
MR. ROBERT WALL LIST?
THE NEXT TIME YOU LOOK
OUT THE WINDOW OF YOUR CAR,
YOUR OFFICE, EEMP YOUR HOME,
THANK YOU ABOUT THIS, HARD
WORKING AMERICANS LIKE LAWN
WORKERS, CONSTRUCTION
LABORERS AND HOUSEKEEPERS,
ARE EITHER FORCED TO GO HOME
TO A SECOND JOB OR THEY HAVE
NO HOME AT ALL.
WHY?
MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS
EARNING $5.15 AN HOUR CAN'T
GET INTO HOUSING.
AND IT'S NOT JUST AUSTIN, IT
IS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
SHOULDN'T ANY AMERICAN
WORKING A FULL 40-HOUR WEEK
AT LEAST EARN ENOUGH FOR AN
EFFICIENCY APARTMENT.
THE FOLKS AT UNIVERSAL
LIVING WAGE THINK SO.
CHECK IT OUT ON THE
INTERNET.
THE UNIVERSAL LIVING WAGE IS
A FORMULA THAT MAKES SURE
ANYONE WORKING A FULL
40-HOUR WEEK CAN AT LEAST
EARN ENOUGH FOR SOME KIND OF
HOUSING.
FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP AT
UNIVERSAL LIVING WAGE.ORG.
HELP LAUNCH THIS NATIONAL
MOVEMENT.
GO ONLINE TODAY AND SIGN THE
INTERACTIVE PETITION.
WWW .
UNIVERSALLIVINGWAGE.ORG.
MAYOR GARCIA: MR. PAUL
SHERR.
OH, ONE MORE?
I'M SAYING YOU KNOW FULL
WELL THAT MINIMUM WAGE
WORKERS CAN'T AFFORD
HOUSING.
WHO IS GETTING PAID THOSE
KIND OF WAGES THESE DAYS?
LOTS OF FOLKS.
MAIDZ, JANITORS,
HOUSEKEEPERS.
THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE,
CAN YOU CAN ANYTHING BE
DONE.
YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND
VOTE FOR A BETTER SM.
UNIVERSAL LIVING WAGE.ORG.
THERE'S A FORM HA LA TO MAKE
SURE ANYONE MAKING A FULL 40
HOUR WEEK —
IT MAKES SENSE.
IF YOU WORK ALL WEEK AT A
40-HOUR JOB, YOU SHOULD BE
ABLE TO AFFORD SOME KIND OF
HOUSING, NO MATTER WHERE YOU
LIVE IN AMERICA.
IT'S PART OF THE AMERICA
DREAM, RIGHT?
WWW . UNIVERSAL LIVING
WAGE.ORG.
SIGN THE PETITION TODAY.
WWW .
UNIVERSALLIVINGWAGE.ORG.
MAYOR GARCIA: ALL RIGHT.
MR. PAUL SHER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
HAVING ME.
I WANTED TO BRING YOU UP TO
DATE ON SOME OF THE ISSUES
CONCERNING A NATIONAL LIVING
WAGE.
AND I'VE GOT SOME GOOD NEWS
AND SOME BAD NEWS.
THE BAD NEWS IS IN AUSTIN IT
TAKES $695 A MONTH TO GET A
ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT.
ON TOP OF THAT, PEOPLE ARE
ASKING FOR FOUR HUNDRED TO
FOUR HUNDRED 50-DOLLAR
DEPOSIT AND A 25-DOLLAR
APPLICATION FEE.
SO A MINIMUM WAGE WORKER HAS
TO DEVOTE EVERY SINGLE CENT
THEY MAKE FOR SIX WEEKS TO
ACCESS AN APARTMENT.
NOT A CENT FOR GROCERIES OR
MEDICAL CARE.
IF THE SITUATION IN AUSTIN
IS TYPICAL, IT'S NOT THE
WORST AND IT'S NOT THE BEST,
BUT IT'S A GRAVE SITUATION.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE
LIVING WAGE IDEA HAS BEEN
TRIED NATIONALLY.
THEY'RE NOW ARE 70 CITIES
THAT HAVE LIVING WAGES OF
SOME SORT FOR PART OR ALL OF
THE ECONOMY.
AND NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM
HAS FOUND THAT THIS HASN'T
HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT.
NONE OF THEM HAVE RESCINDED
OR TAKEN BACK THEIR MINIMUM
WAGE ORDINANCES.
SO WE'VE GOT A GOOD IDEA IN
A SITUATION WHERE THE
MINIMUM WAGE IS ABOUT AT ITS
LOWEST BUYING POWER IN ITS
ENTIRE HISTORY, GOING BACK
TO I BELIEVE 1936.
5.15 AN HOUR WILL ACTUALLY
BUY LESS THAN THE 25 CENTS
AN HOUR OF 1936.
SO WE REALLY NEED TO DO
SOMETHING FOR WORKING
PEOPLE.
LIVING WAGES ARE A TRIED AND
TRUE IDEA.
VIRTUALLY THE WHOLE WORLD
HAS THEM.
AND THERE'S NO OTHER
ECONOMICALLY DEVELOPED
COUNTRY THAT HAS THE HOUSING
PROBLEMS THAT THE UNITED
STATES DOES.
SO I WOULD STRONGLY
ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND THIS
MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON DOES IN FACT NEED
A WAKE-UP CALL RIGHT NOW.
THE COUNTRY HAS AN INCOME
TRANSFER POLICY THAT'S
TRANSFERRING MONEY FROM POOR
TO RICH.
AND IT'S SIMPLY UNNECESSARY
AND IMMORAL.
IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR WORKING
TEAM PEOPLE TO GET THEIR
FAIR SHARE OF THE ECONOMY
AND BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE
BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE.
AUSTIN HAS A PROBLEM,
CALIFORNIA HAS A PROBLEM.
IT IS AMAZING.
GULLIES IN CALIFORNIA LOOKLY
APARTMENT COMPLEXES THEY
HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE LIVING
THERE NOW.
I THINK THIS CRD IS AN
EXCELLENT ONE.
LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND
IT TO WASHINGTON AND THANK
YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN, YOU
PULLED THIS ITEM.
WYNN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I PERSONALLY AGREE WITH
EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID
BY THE SPEAKERS.
MY ISSUE IS THAT WE AS A
CITY DON'T MEET THE LIVING
WAGE, AND IT SEEMS TO ME
QUITE INCONSISTENT FOR US AS
A MAJOR EMPLOYER IN THIS
TOWN TO NOT DO IT AND THEN,
YOU KNOW, VERY EASILY SIGN A
PIECE OF PAPER AND TELL THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT THEY
SHOULD DO IT.
I'M TOLD THAT WE PAY $9 AN
HOUR FOR MOST OF OUR
EMPLOYEES, FULL-TIME
EMPLOYEES, BUT WE STILL PAY
5.15 FOR FULL TIME SINGLE
EMPLOYEES, THE UNIVERSAL —
I BELIEVE THE CITY OF AUSTIN
UNIVERSAL LIVING WAGE SHOULD
BE $10.60 CURRENTLY, SO
WE'RE $1.60 BELOW THAT.
ON A PERSONAL LEVEL I
SUPPORT THE LIVING WAGE
INITIATIVE.
I THINK IT MAKES PERFECT
SENSE.
IT'S INCREDIBLY CONJUNCTIVE
NOW, HAVING THE SAME
STANDARD FOR UPPER EAST SIDE
MANHATTAN THAT YOU HAVE FOR
BEAUMONT.
SO — SO I'LL BE SUPPORTIVE
OF US BRINGING UP THIS
CHALLENGE FOR US FROM A
BUDGETARY STANDPOINT, AND
WE'LL BE GETTING THE
BUDGETARY STANDPOINT NOW,
BUT I THINK IT'S SHALLOW AND
SORT OF HOLLOW FOR US TO NOT
MEET THE STANDARD OURSELVES
AND THEN TELL THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT THAT WE'RE ALL
FOR IT BY SOMEONE ELSE
MEETING IT.
I JUST SEE IT AS AN ISSUE OF
CONSISTENCY.
PERSONALLY I SUPPORT IT AND
I'M PREPARED TO HAVE THAT AS
ANOTHER DIFFICULT LINE ITEM
OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AS
WE TALK THROUGH OUR BUDGET
PROCESS, BUT I WON'T BE
SUPPORTIVE OF THE — IF I'VE
READ THIS CORRECTLY, IF IT'S
AN ENDORSEMENT TO THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNTIL
SUCH TIME WE MEET THAT GOAL.
WE'RE NOT FAR FROM IT, BUT
WE HAVEN'T MET IT OURSELVES
AND I THINK IT'S
INCONSISTENT.
SLUSHER: MAYOR?
I SURE AGREE WITH THE GOALS
OF THE LIVING WAGE CAMPAIGN,
BUT I IN GENERAL WOULD LIKE
FOR US TO CONCENTRATE ON
ISSUES WHERE WE HAVE A
DIRECT IMPACT ON THE ISSUES
THAT THE VOTERS HAVE ELECTED
US TO DEAL WITH.
THAT'S WHY, FOR INSTANCE, I
WAS A SPONSOR OF GETTING THE
HOUR WAGE, THE LOWEST OF
WHAT THE CITY PAID, UP
TO $9.
AND FIRST TO EIGHT AND THEN
TO NINE, AND NOW I WOULD
LIKE TO TAKE IT FURTHER.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING
TO BE ABLE TO THIS YEAR.
FRANKLY, PROBABLY NOT.
WE'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE
WE'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO
PROTECT PEOPLE JUST HAVING
THEIR PROBLEMS — JOBS WITH
THE CITY AND WE NEED TO
PROTECT THE SERVICES THEY
PROVIDE.
AND NOT TO HAVE LAYOFFS IS
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
THINGS TO ME IN THIS BUDGET
THAT WE'RE FACING.
BUT FOR US TO — I AGREE
WITH COUNCILMEMBER WYNN.
FOR US TO GO OUT AS A CITY
AND SAY, OKAY, FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, WE WANT Y'ALL TO
SET THE MINIMUM WAGE IN THE
COUNTRY AT 10.60, WHEN WE'RE
NOT MEETING IT OURSELVES,
THAT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE ASKING
THEM TO MAKE US DO SOMETHING
THAT WE'RE NOT DOING.
I WOULD RATHER WORK TOWARDS
GETTING IT THERE OURSELVES
BEFORE WE GO OFF AND TELL
ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE BODY,
ONE THAT RANKS MUCH HIGHER
THAN US, TO TAKE THE
PARTICULAR ACTION.
AND I WOULD THINK IF WE ARE
GOING TO TAKE THIS ACTION,
WE SHOULD KNOW WHAT THE
IMPACT WOULD BE ON THE CITY
BUDGET OF DOING IT.
DO THE SPONSORS HAVE THAT
INFORMATION?
HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST US AT
THE CITY IF WE RAISE IT FROM
NINE DOLLARS UP TO 10.60?
THAT'S ONE.
WHAT ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT
ARE IN THAT RANGE NOW?
DO WE RAISE THEM UP HIGHER,
BECAUSE THAT WOULD SEEM TO
BE THE FAYEER THING TO DO,
IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS.
BUT I THINK WE REQUIRE
HAVING TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF
OUR ACTIONS, BUT I DON'T
THINK THAT'S BEEN DONE LIKE
THIS ONE.
THIS IS JUST SAYING OKAY, WE
WANT THE CONGRESS TO DO
SOMETHING, AND REQUIRE US TO
DO SOMETHING THAT WE'RE NOT
DOING OURSELVES.
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS, I HAVE
A QUICK COMMENT, BUT IF YOU
WANT TO SPEAK FIRST, I'LL
RECOGNIZE YOU.
THOMAS: YEAH, I WILL.
EXCUSE ME.
I THINK IN ANYTHING WE DO, I
AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER
SLUSHER AND WYNN.
MAYBE THE CITY MANAGER CAN
ASK — PERSONALLY WE
SHOULDN'T EVEN FEEL THAT
GOOD SAYING $9 AN HOUR AS A
CITY, BUT I KNOW WE ARE
HAVING A HARD TIME.
I UNDERSTAND THAT.
AND I THINK EVEN WITH WHAT
MR. TROXELL PASSED OUT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THIS
THERE YEAR, BUT MAYBE TWOUR
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF
GETTING THE RESOLUTION
PASSED.
ALSO TO SAY THAT WE'LL AT
LEAST PUT IN AN EFFORT TO DO/n
JN=5@R[UaRQ): WELL, I DON'T
THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO
SAY THAT WE'RE NOT.
I THOUGHT WE WERE ALREADY
TRYING TO GET THERE.
THAT'S CERTAINLY BEEN ONE OF
THE GOALS OF MY ENTIRE TIME
IN OFFICE.
AND WHEN WE PUT UP SOMETHING
LIKE THIS, WHICH IS JUST
SPEAKING ON A NATIONAL
LEGISLATIVE ISSUE AND SEE IF
WE CAN GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SAY I'M FOR IT, YOU'RE
NOT, AND THAT KIND OF THING,
THAT'S WHY I REALLY LIKE TO
CONS 17 TRAIT — IT'S ONE
REASON I LIKE TO CONS 17
TRAIT ON THINGS ON WHICH WE
CAN HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT.
ON WHEN WE RAISED IT UP
TO $9, THAT AFFECTED
PEOPLE'S LIVES FOR THE
BETTER.
I CAN SEE IF THIS IS
EVENTUALLY PASSED BY THE
CONGRESS, IT WOULD, BUT WHAT
WE NEED TO DO IT WORK TO GET
THAT UP TO 10.60 IN ANY WAY
WE CAN.
LIKE I SAID, IT'S GOING TO
BE VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE
MUCH PROGRESS ON THAT THIS
YEAR.
THOMAS: IF I COULD
CONTINUE.
EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE
DIFFICULT.
I'M NOT SAYING WE'RE NOT
TRYING TO GET THERE.
AND I COMMEND YOU FOR WHAT
YOU'VE DONE IN THE PAST.
I THINK IF WE ALL WORK
TOGETHER, WE CAN STILL
CONTINUE TO DO THAT, BUT I
DON'T SEE WHAT THE
RESOLUTION WOULD BE SAYING
THAT WE'RE NOT TRYING.
I THINK AUSTIN IS KNOWN FOR
TRYING TO DO THE POSITIVE
THING FOR THEIR CITIZENS,
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL
CONTINUE TO DO, ALTHOUGH WE
KNOW BUDGET IS GOING TO BE
TIGHT THIS YEAR.
BUT I STILL SAY THAT WE CAN
STILL WORK TOWARD THAT IN
MAYBE 04 OR WHATEVER, BUT
STILL HAVE A RESOLUTION
SAYING WE'RE TRYING.
I'M NOT SAYING WE HAVEN'T
TRIED, BUT I SAY THAT WE'LL
CONTINUE TO TRY.
AND MAYBE I'LL ASK THE CITY
MANAGER, HOW WOULD THAT
AFFECT US ROUGHLY?
I KNOW THAT'S REALLY NOT —
FUTRELL: I HAVE A VERY,
VERY, VERY ROUGH CUT AT
THIS, SO I'M GOING TO CAVEAT
THIS TO DEATH.
WE REALLY DID NOT HAVE THE
TIME.
A LOT OF IT WILL DEPEND ON
HOW YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT.
HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS.
OUT OF OVER 10,000
EMPLOYEES, REGULAR,
PERMANENT EMPLOYEES, ONLY
647 EMPLOYEES MAKE
BELOW $10.60.
AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY
PRETTY GOOD FOR US.ol'?
NOW, THE BAD NEWS IS THAT A
LARGE NUMBER OF OUR
TEMPERATURES DO MAKE
BELOW $10.60.
IN FACT, ALMOST 1500
TEMPORARY.
SO IF YOU WERE TO DO
TEMPORARIES AND FULL-TIME
EMPLOYEES, OUR BEST GUESS AT
THIS TIME IS IT WOULD BE NO
LESS THAN EIGHT MILLION
DOLLARS.
IT COULD BE MORE, BUT IT
AFFECTS A LARGE NUMBER OF
JOB FAMILIES TO BRING THEM
UP.
AND WHATEVER WE CHOOSE TO DO
HERE, I WOULD REALLY HOPE
THAT WE WOULD HOLD
MULTI-YEAR TRANSITION TO IT,
PARTICULARLY NOT KNOWING
WHAT OUR HORIZON HOLDS WITH
THE ECONOMICS.
[ONE MOMENT, PLEASE, WHILE
CAPTIONERS CHANGE]
GOODMAN: I THINK IT WOULD BE
IN ORDER TO APPLAUD THE MAYOR
FROM MINNESOTA IN ADVANCE FOR
HIS PERFORMANCE.
[APPLAUSE]
GOODMAN: RIGHT.
OKAY.
SO NEXT IS ITEM 18, AND ITEM —
IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITEM 92.
RIGHT?
NO, 87.
87.
RIGHT.
AND THE REASON THAT WE'VE ASKED
FOR THE PRESENTATION IS BECAUSE
WE HAVE SOME WONDERFUL
PARTNERSHIPS GOING ON IN ONE OF
THE HISTORIC SQUARES THAT WAS
THE ORIGINAL DRAWING THAT BECAME
AUSTIN BACK WHEN IT WAS
WATERLOO.
YOU ALL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND NEAR YOU
THAT TERRY DID.
AND I'VE LOST MINE, BUT IT
HAS — ON THE COVER OF IT IT HAS
THE DRAWING OF THE ORIGINAL GRID
THAT WAS SET OUT TO BE WHAT IS
NOW A SMALL PART OF THE CENTRAL
CITY.
AND MR. OLIVARES FROM PARD IS
HERE.
AND I THINK WE DID HAVE RICK —
THERE HE IS, RIGHT IN FRONT OF
ME.
RICK HERNANDEZ FROM THE TEXAS
COMMISSION ON THE ARTS.
AND I BELIEVE MR. SIFF ALSO FROM
WHAT IS NOW THE DOWNTOWN
PARTNERSHIP, DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
ALLIANCE AND THE PARKS
FOUNDATION AS WELL, RIGHT?
OKAY.
MAYOR PRO TEM, MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL, JESUS OLIVARES,
YOUR
PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
THE PACKAGE THAT WE PASSED OUT
IN FRONT OF YOU WILL BE THE
BRIEF PRESENTATION THAT WILL
BE — WE'LL BE GIVING YOU ON THE
HISTORY OF REPUBLIC SQUARE.
THE SQUARE IS ONE OF THE
ORIGINAL FOUR PLATTED PUBLIC
SQUARES.
IN 1839, CITY LOTS WERE SOLD
UNDER THE SHADE OF ONE OF MORE
LIVE OAK TREES ON THE SQUARE.
THE SQUARE WAS USED FOR MEXICAN
CULTURAL AND PATRIOTIC I VENTS
FROM THE 1870'S THROUGH 1920'S.
NARM GUARDSMEN DRILLED ON THE
SQUARE BETWEEN 1902 AND 1909.
IN 1950, THE PARK WAS USED AS A
PUBLIC PARKING LOT AND WAS PAVED
FOR THIS USE IN 1960.
IN 1974, THE PARKS AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT FORMED A
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SIERRA
CLUB, AND THE SQUARE WAS
CONVERTED INTO A PARK IN HONOR
OF THE BY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OF 1976.
THE LIONS CLUB OF AUSTIN
SUBMITTED THE NAME REPUBLIC
SQUARE AS A TRIBUTE TO THE
REPUBLIC OF TEXAS.
JUNE 1999, COUNCIL INSTRUCTED
THE CITY MANAGER TO FORM A
STAKEHOLDER GROUP, THE REPUBLIC
SQUARE TASK FORCE.
THE TASK FORCE WAS TO PRODUCE
SHORT-TERM PLAN TO IMPROVE THE
PARKS AS A DESTINATION IN THE
ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY DISTRICT OF
DOWNTOWN.
DECEMBER OF 1999 THE TASK FORCE
SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL GUIDELINES,
PUBLIC USES AND LINKAGES TO
OTHER PUBLIC VENUES.
AS THE MAYOR PRO TEM MENTIONED,
THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT HAS
BEEN FORMED BETWEEN THE CITY OF
AUSTIN, THE AUSTIN PARKS
FOUNDATION, THE DOWNTOWN
ALLIANCE, AND THE TEXAS
COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS.
WE HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN
JANUARY OF 2001 TO MAKE TS
ANNOUNCEMENT.
WE HAVE MR. EARL BUSARD FROM THE
TBG LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.
HE WAS HIERDZ TO DESIGN THE
PARKS AND THE IMPROVEMENTS.
A PRELIMINARY PLAN DESIGN HAS
BEEN PRESENTED TO HISTORIC
LANDMARK COMMISSION, PARKS
BOARD, THE DESIGN COMMISSION,
AND THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION.
A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN IS COMPLETE
AND SUPPORTED BY THE
STAKEHOLDERS.
THE DESIGN AGAIN WILL BE
PRESENTED TO THE BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS FOR REVIEW AND
COMMENT.
A PROFESSIONALLY RESEARCHED
HISTORY OF THE SQUARE IS
COMPLETED AND DOCUMENTED.
THAT'S THE DOCUMENTED THAT MAYOR
PRO TEM WAS REFERRING TO.
VERY INTERESTING ON THE HISTORY
THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE AT THIS
PARTICULAR SQUARE.
THE HISTORY WILL BE FEATURED IN
THE SQUARE.
A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
FOR THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
WILL BE REQUESTED OF THE
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION
WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
ARE COMPLETED.
MR. EARL BUSSARD, OUR ARCHITECT,
WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE
RENDERINGS THAT ARE BEFORE YOU
RIGHT NOW.
AFTER HE FINISHES WITH THAT
BRIEFING, WE WILL BRING UP
MR. RICK HERNANDEZ, DEPUTY
DIRECTOR FOR THE TEXAS
COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS TO
ADDRESS THE RESOLUTION THAT IS
BEFORE YOU HERE TODAY.
A.O.L. HELLO, MY NAME IS —
HELLO.
THE PLAN WE'RE SHOWING YOU TODAY
IS A MASTER PLAN OF THE GREAT
SQUARE.
THE — YOU ARE LOOKING IN THE
SOUTHEAST AREA OR THE SOUTHWEST
AREA ARE THE AUCTION OAKS.
ALSO FEATURED IS GOING TO BE THE
SCULPTURE WHICH IS PROVIDED BY
JESUS MORALES, AND THE PREVIEW
IN THE FOREGROUND BY THE GREAT
LAWN CHRKS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO
BE A COURT FOR NOT ONLY THE OAKS
BUT ALSO THE SCULPTURE ITSELF.
AND OF COURSE ACROSS THE STREET
IS THE AUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART.
AND ABOVE IS THE UNITED STATES
POST OFFICE, THE BUILDING WEST
AND TO THE EAST IS THE PLAZA
LOFTS.
AROUND THE THREE SIDES WILL BE A
GREAT PROM GNAWED ABOUT 30 FEET
IN WIDTH.
IT WILL BE IN DECOMPOSED GRANITE
AND WILL WORK TO BRING YOU ALL
THE WAY AROUND IN A CIRCULAR
MANNER INTO THE SQUARE WITH
MAJOR ENTRIES AT THE CORNERS OF
THE SQUARE.
NAMES OF THE HISTORICAL
INTERPRETATIONS SUCH AS PINE
STREET AND CEDAR STREET WILL BE
PLACED IN THE PARK.
INTERPRETATION FOR AUCTION OAK
WILL BE NOTED.
A PLAN — THE WALLER PLAN WILL
BE REPLICATED TO INSTRUCT
VISITORS AS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF
THIS PARK IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE
OTHER FOUR PARKS IN THE GREAT
MASTER PLAN.
AS WELL AS AN INTERPRETATION OF
THE HISTORY OF THE PARK AND ITS
SURROUNDS ABOVE AN EIGHT-FOOT
WATERFALL.
YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE — NOW AT
THE ELEVATION THAT SHOWS THE
THREE EXPIRES FROM THE FOUNTAIN
AS WELL AS AN EIGHT-FOOT WATER
WALL THAT SERVES AS A BACK DROP.
A SECTION THROUGH FROM 4th TO 5.
5th STREET SHOWS THE SPIRES
WHICH RANGE FROM 21 TO 14 FEET
SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE
AUCTION OAKS.
YOU CAN SEE THE OAKS TAKE
PROMINENCE OVER THE SQUARE.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
GOODMAN: YEAH, I HAVE ONE.
IN THE SERIES OF DESIGNS THAT
WE'VE SEEN EVOLVE OVER TIME, WHY
HAVE WE GONE BACK TO THE
ORIGINAL SOMEWHAT SUBURBAN
LOOKING DESIGN?
PLEASE — ARE YOU TALKING
ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE GREEN
SCAPE OR THE —
GOODMAN: YEAH, THE
MODIFICATION.
THE DESIGN IS A ROUGH X RATHER
THAN WHAT IT HAD EVOLVED INTO
WHICH WAS A LITTLE MORE
EXCITING, A LITTLE BIT MORE EE
VOK ACTIVE OF THE TEXAS, MEXICAN
HERITAGE AND THE EVENTS THAT
WERE THERE, AND IT WAS MORE, I
DON'T KNOW, LIKE A SUN RAY
ALMOST.
I'M NOT SURE THAT I CAN
ADDRESS THAT BECAUSE I'M NOT
SURE WHAT — THE EXACT DESIGN
YOU ARE REFERRING TO DISBOOM THE
DESIGN BEFORE THIS ONE.
THE PLAZA IS — THE DESIGN
HAS A GREAT PROM GNAWED, WHICH
WE THINK IS A GREAT —
PROMENADE.
THE HARDSCAPE IS DEVELOPED FOR
THE SPIRES.
BUT THE ISSUE WAS TO MOVE THE
DESIGN FROM — AT ONE TIME THE
SPIRES WERE LOCATED IN THE
CENTRAL PORTION OF THE GREENS.
IS THAT PERHAPS WHAT YOU ARE
TALKING ABOUT?
GOODMAN: WHAT DID YOU SAY?
THE SPIRES IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE PARK HAVE BEEN MOVED BACK IN
AN EFFORT TO GIVE PROMINENCE TO
THE OAKS.
GOODMAN: I'M NOT SURE AS A
LAYPERSON I UNDERSTAND THE
REFERENCES YOU ARE MAKING.
LET ME ASK, DO WE HAVE THAT
PACKET?
I DON'T SEE IT IN MY BACKUP,
WHERE WE HAD THE SUCCESSION OF
DESIGNS HANDY AND WE CAN SHOW
WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT.
THANK YOU.
WE'LL GET THAT TO YOU.
THAT'S FINE.
GOODMAN: QUESTIONS?
MAYOR PRO TEM, AS YOU
MENTIONED EARLIER, THE TEXAS
COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS HAS
AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
PROJECT TO INCLUDE PUBLIC ART IN
THE REPUBLIC SQUARE PARK.
INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN JESUS
MORALES WAS SELECTED TO DESIGN
THE ARTWORK FOR THE PARK.
THE TEXAS COMMISSION FOR THE
ARTS WILL FUND THE ART AND ITS
LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE ALSO.
IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO
INTRODUCE MR. RICK HERNANDEZ,
DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR THE TEXAS
COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS TO
ADDRESS THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF
THE COUNCIL.
RICK?
IF I COULD JUST HAND YOU
THESE?
GOODMAN: THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
MAYOR PRO TEM, COUNCIL
MEMBERS, THANKS FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU.
WE AT THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON
THE ARTS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT
THIS PARTNERSHIP THAT WE'RE
ABOUT TO GO INTO WITH THE CITY.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING LONG AND HARD
TRYING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
LET ME GIVE YOU A SENSE OF THE
GENESIS OF ALL OF THIS.
WE AT THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON
THE ARTS, AS YOU WELL KNOW, ARE
A FAIRLY SMALL ARTS AGENCY
WITHIN STATE GOVERNMENT.
WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF
BUILDING MAJOR ENDOWMENT FOR THE
ARTS THAT WILL AFFECT EVERY
COMMUNITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND IN DOING SO, WE RECOGNIZE
THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A WAY OF
NOTIFYING — OF RECOGNIZING
THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE MAJOR
CONTRIBUTORS TO THAT ENDOWMENT
FUND.
AS WE WERE LOOKING FOR WAYS OF
DOING THAT, WE CAME ACROSS THE
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE
REPUBLIC SQUARE TASK FORCE,
WHICH WAS CONVENED OVER THE LAST
COUPLE OF YEARS, AND WHICH GAVE
VERY SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
ABOUT HOW REPUBLIC SQUARE MIGHT
BE USED AS A DESTINATION FOR THE
CITY'S AND THE STATE'S VISITORS,
HOW THE — HOW WE WANTED TO
CELEBRATE ITS HISTORY, HOW WE
WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS
NOT ONLY A DESTINATION BUT A
PLACE FROM WHICH VISITORS TO THE
CITY AND THE STATE COULD GO OUT
INTO THE CITY AND REALIZEHE
GREAT CULTURAL WEALTH THAT WE
HAVE IN THE CITY THAT IS
REALLY — THAT REALLY TIP FIES
WHAT IS THE ARTISTIC AND
CULTURAL WEALTH OF THE STATE.
SO GETTING THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS
AND — AS WE CONTINUED OUR
SEARCH FOR A WAY TO FIND — OR
FOR A PLACE TO FIND AN AREA THAT
WE COULD BUILD THIS PLACE TO
RECOGNIZE CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR
ENDOWMENT, WE KIND OF PUT TWO
AND TWO TOGETHER AND CAME UP
WITH FOUR AND SAID MAYBE THE
CITY WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
IN THIS.
MAYBE WE CAN DO A NICE
STATE-CITY TYPE PARTNERSHIP AND
WE BEGAN THAT INVESTIGATION TO
SEE IF WE COULD MAKE THAT
HAPPEN.
IN THE INTERIM, WE WERE GIVEN A
SIGNIFICANT PRIVATE DONATION
WHERE FOLKS ASKED — THE DONORS
SAID IF WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A
SPACE TO DO THIS AND TO SECURE
THE WORK OF MR. MORALES, THAT I
BELIEVE YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF
YOU, THAT THEY WOULD IN FACT
ASSIST US IN DOING — IN
BUILDING THIS — IN THIS PLACE.
MORALES IS PROBABLY THE
PREEMINENCE GRANITE SCULPTOR IN
TEXAS, AND IF NOT THE UNITED
STATES.
HE IS INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN.
IN THE TIME WE'VE BEEN WORKING
ON THIS PROJECT, HE HAS BEEN
DOING A SERIES OF PARKS IN
CHINA.
HE'S COMPLETED A SERIES OF PARKS
IN EGYPT, AND IS NOW WORKING ON
A SERIES OF PARKS IN INDIA AS
WELL.
WE HAVE — THAT NOTWITHSTANDING,
HE IS IN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND
DOES MAJOR WORKS ALL OVER THE
UNITED STATES.
HE'S TRULY A WORLD RENOWNED
ARTIST THAT HAILS FROM CORPUS
CHRISTI AND NOW LIVES IN
ROCKPORT,..........ROCKROCKPORT.
WE'RE VERY HAPPY HE HAS
CONSIDERED DOING THIS AND DOING
YEO MANS WORK WITH US.
HE HAS WORKED CONSISTENTLY FROM
THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT TO
DESIGN THE WHOLE OF THE PARK.
OUR IDEA ORIGINALLY WHEN WE
STARTED TO PURSUE THIS, SIMPLY?Cy
THE WORK BY JESUS MORALES, AS WE
GOT TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER
PARTNERS, WE REALIZED THAT HE
HAD SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO
MAKE TO THE WHOLE OF THE DESIGN
FOR THE PARK.
AND SO THE VARIOUS
MANIFESTATIONS OF DESIGN THAT
YOU SEE BEFORE YOU ARE THOSE
THAT HAVE COME — RESULTED FROM
WORK — HIM WORKING WITH THE
GROUP.
THE DCA'S DISTRIBUTION IS NOT
JUST THE PIECE IN THE PARK
ITSELF.
THE TCA IS VERY CONCERNED —
CONCERNED WITH THE LONG-TERM
MAINTENANCE OF THE PARK, AND
THEREFORE WE INTEND TO BUILD A
FUND WITHIN OUR ENDOWMENT FUND
THAT WILL ENSURE THE LONG-TERM
MAINTENANCE OF THE PIECE.
WE ALSO ARE VERY MUCH IN THE
BUSINESS OF PROMOTING THE ARTS
NOT ONLY IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN
BUT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF
TEXAS, AND WE HAVE AN ARRAY OF
WONDERFUL ARTISTS THAT WE WILL
MAKE AVAILABLE ON AN ANNUAL
BASIS FOR PERFORMANCE AND
EXHIBITION WITHIN THE PARK.
AND AS A PART OF KIND OF
PREPARING OURSELVES FOR DOING
THIS AND DOING THIS AS A MODEL
PROJECT, WE WILL AT THE END OF
MAY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PARKS
AND RECREATION AND REDEVELOPMENT
SERVICES, CONVENE IN A CIVIC
DIALOGUE ON THE ART AND THE
BUILDING OF PLACES SUCH AS THIS.
WE HOPE THAT THE INFORMATION
THAT COMES FROM THAT CIVIC
DIALOGUE WILL INFORM NOT ONLY
WHAT WE DO HERE IN AUSTIN IN ITS
LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT, BUT WHAT
WE DO IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT
THE STATE AND THE NATION IN
THEIR LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT.
WITH THAT, LET ME INVITE YOU TO
THAT CIVIC DIALOGUE.
I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL GOTTEN THE
E-MAIL AND MAIL INVITATION.
WE WOULD REALLY LIKE YOUR
PARTICIPATION ON MAY 20th AT
9:30 IN THAT CIVIC DIALOGUE
BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THE ONLY WAY
WE'LL REALLY GET THE BREADTH OF
THE CITIZENRY INPUT IS IN FACT
IF WE HAVE THE CITIZEN LEADERS
IN THE ROOM AS WELL.
SO I'LL STOP THERE AND ASK IF
THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU, MAYOR.
MAYOR GARCIA: MR. TED SIFF IS
HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ONE.
WELCOME, SIR.
THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I JUST HAVE A FEW WORDS OF
THANKS TO ALL OF THE PARTNERS,
THE AUSTIN PARKS FOUNDATION HAS
BEEN WORKING HAND IN GLOVE WITH
OF COURSE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT
AND THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
ALLIANCE, THE ORIGINAL SIGNORS.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT TO
REDEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN HISTORIC
SQUARES.
BUT OF COURSE THE TEXAS
COMMISSION ON THE ARTS PROPOSED
GRANT IS A HUGE, HUGE
CONTRIBUTION TO THIS EFFORT AND
WE'RE HERE TO APPLAUD THEM AND
THANK THE COUNCIL FOR
POTENTIALLY CONSIDERING IT.
..
JESUS, COULD YOU SUMMARIZE
WHERE IT GOES FROM HERE?
WE STILL HAVE TO GO TO THE
LANDMARK COMMISSION AND CONTINUE
TO WORK ON THE DESIGN AND
SPECIFICATIONS TO GET THEIR
CERTIFICATE FOR APPROPRIATENESS.
AND THE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE
PUBLIC THAT MR. HERNANDEZ
MENTIONED TO HAVE INPUT ON THE
ARTWORK AND SOME OF THOSE
SUGGESTIONS.
SO WE WOULD BE BRINGING THIS
ITEM BACK TO SOME OF OUR BOARDS
AND COMMISSIONS STILL AS THIS IS
A BRIEFING THAT — UP TO DATE,
THIS IS WHERE WE ARE ON THIS
PARTNERSHIP THAT WAS DEVELOPED
BACK IN THE YEAR 2001.
IT'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE
ABLE TO LEVERAGE THE RESOURCES
BETWEEN THE DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE,
TEXAS COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS,
AND OF COURSE THE PARKS
FOUNDATION AND THE CITY OF
AUSTIN.
IT'S BEEN A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.
THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY IN THIS
PARK, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, A LOT
OF IT IS STARTING TO COME OUT,
AND BEING ABLE TO DISPLAY THIS
HISTORY WILL BE SOMETHING THAT
PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE
CAN COME AND VISIT IN DOWNTOWN
AUSTIN.
COULD YOU ALSO JUST FOLLOW UP
ON THE MAYOR PRO TEM'S CONCERN
ABOUT — I GUESS A PRIOR VERSION
OF THE DESIGN AND SORT OF WORK
THROUGH WITH HER OFFICE ON HOW
WE GOT WHERE WE ARE AND HOW
WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE MOVING
FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN
PRESENTATIONS?
WE'LL GET TOGETHER WITH THE
MAYOR PRO TEM'S OFFICE AND KIND
OF SHOW HER SOME OF THE
EVOLUTION AS TO HOW SOME OF
THESE DESIGNS CAME TO FRUITION.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: MAYOR PRO TEM?
GOODMAN: I THINK WHAT I WOULD
LIKE TO ASK IS THAT AS WE GO TO
THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, THAT
WE TAKE PRESENTATIONS OF THOSE
FOUR — I THINK IT WAS FOUR
DESIGNS NOW IN A SERIES SO THAT
FOLKS ON THE DESIGN COMMISSION,
FOR INSTANCE, AND THE HISTORIC
LANDMARK COMMISSION CAN LOOK AT
THE DIFFERENT IDEAS THAT HAVE
COME THROUGH THIS TIME FRAME.
AND THE ONE THAT WE HAVE TODAY
IS — IT HAS A LITTLE MORE
FINESSE, AND IT'S SIMILAR TO THE
ONE WE STARTED OUT WITH, AND I
PERSONALLY THOUGHT THE ONE NEXT
TO LAST WAS THE ONE THAT WAS
MORE OUT OF THE BOX AND THAT
REALLY USED THE ASSETS THAT WE
HAVE IN THIS PARK.
BUT I KNOW WE HAVE COPIES OF ALL
THOSE SOMEWHERE AND WE'LL GET
THEM TO YOU IF YOU DON'T HAVE
ALL OF THEM.
YES, MA'AM.
GOODMAN: MAYOR?
THE RESOLUTION THAT WE HAVE IN
OUR BACKUP WAS ALMOST THE SAME
AS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN, BUT THERE
WAS ONE SENTENCE IN THE BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT I WANTED
TO ADD BACK.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
GOODMAN: . AND THAT WOULD BE —
WELL,S AS YOU NOTICE ON THIS
RESOLUTION IT HAS AN INCREDIBLE
NUMBER OF WHEREASESES SO I'M NOT
GOING TO ASK YOU TO LISTEN AS I
READ AWFUL THOSE OUT LOUD.
ALTHOUGH AFTER I TELL YOU WHAT I
WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE, I WOULD
LIKE TO MAKE JUST A FEW COMMENTS
ABOUT THE HISTORY THAT WE'RE
TRYING TO RECLAIM AND CELEBRATE
AND UPDATE.
BUT ON THE NEXT TO THE LAST
PAGE, OF THE RESOLUTION, WHERE
IT COMENTS DONE TO............................................ITY COUNCIL HEREBY SUPPORTS THE
REVITALIZATION OF REPUBLIC
SQUARE FOR CULTURAL ACTIVITY FOR
THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND DIRECT
THE MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE,
ET CETERA, ET CETERA, WHICH OF
COURSE IS WHAT WE ALL WANT TO
DO, BUT THE SENTENCE THAT WAS
THERE I THINK IS MORE — MORE
PRECISE AND TARGETED TO THE
GOAL, WHICH IS TO NEGOTIATE A
LONG-TERM AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS
COMMISSION ON THE ARTS TO
FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
GOALS AND MISSIONS MENTIONED
ABOVE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE
COVENANTS, RESTRICTIONS AND
CONDITIONS, INCLUDING, AND THEN
WE HAVE THE SAME LIST AS IS IN
THE CURRENT DRAFT.
COUNCILMEMBER, AND THAT WOULD
BE NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE?
MAYOR PRO TEM?
GOODMAN: I KNOW YOU ALWAYS
LIKE TO HAVE THE EXECUTE IN
THERE.
IF WE COULD BE SURE THAT WE SAW
YOUR FINAL LANGUAGE BEFORE IT'S
SIGNED JUST TO DOUBLE-CHECK.
IN TERMS OF THE RESOLUTION,
YOU MEAN, OR IN TERMS OF THE
CONTRACT?
GOODMAN: IN TERMS OF THE
CONTRACT.
OKAY.
GOODMAN: SO FOR ME IT DOESN'T
HAVE TO BE AN ITEM ON THE
COUNCIL AGENDA, BUT IT WOULD BE
ABLE TO BE PULLED FOR
MODIFICATIONS IF THERE WAS
SOMETHING REALLY DRASTIC MISSING
OR ADDED.
WHAT WE WOULD BE DOING IS
NEGOTIATING THE AGREEMENT AND
CERTAINLY WE COULD GO AHEAD AND
SUBMIT — WHAT WE TYPICALLY DO
IS SUMMARY OF AGREEMENTS, THE
TERMS, WE KIND OF SUMMARIZE THEM
FOR YOU.
AND WE WOULD RUN THAT BY
COUNCILMEMBERS BEFORE WE SCOOT
IT.
GOODMAN: I WOULD PREFER TO
SEE THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE
CONTRACT.
WE CAN DO THAT TOO.
OKAY.
THAT WILL BE OUR DIRECTION.
GOODMAN: IF THAT'S OKAY.
THAT'S MY MOTION, MAYOR.
MAYOR GARCIA: I'LL SECOND
THAT MOTION.
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ: I DO WANT TO TAKE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MR.
HERNANDEZ FOR BEING HERE FROM
THE TEXAS ARTS COMMISSION
BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS WHAT HAS
ALLOWED US TO FLOURISH INTO A
PLANNING EFFORT THAT IS GOING...... GOING
BRING MORE INTERNATIONAL
ATTENTION TO AUSTIN BECAUSE OF
WHO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SELECT
THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP WITH
TEXAS COMMISSION ON THE ARTS.
AND ALSO WITH THE MACC.
SO I THINK WE STARTED REALLY
CALLING SOME REALLY GOOD
ATTENTION TO THE — TO AUSTIN IN
TERMS OF THE INTERNATIONAL
APPEAL I GUESS OF THE CITY AND
THE INTERNATIONAL VIEW, I GUESS,
OF THE CITY LEADERS AND THE
COMMUNITY LEADERS AND I WANT TO
THANK ALSO THE PARKS FOUNDATION
AND DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCES
AND CERTAINLY OUR OWN STAFF AND
PARD FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
IT'S REALLY EXCITING AND I'M
GLAD TO BE A PART OF IT AND LOOK
FORWARD TO PUSHING THIS FORWARD.
THAN YOU.
GOODMAN: SOMEONE WHO COULDN'T
BE HERE BUT WHO WAS SO EXCITED
ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE
WORKING WITH THE TEXAS
COMMISSION ON THE ARTS AND THE
DOWNTOWN FOLKS ON THIS, AND THAT
COMMENT IS THE TEXAS COMMISSION
ON THE ARTS IS DOING SO MUCH
MORE THAT WILL SHAPE OUR CITY
THAN JUST GIVING US A PIECE OF
ARTWORK AS SIGNIFICANT AND
WONDERFUL AS THAT IS.
FIRST ARE THE OBVIOUS ONES TO
PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF
REPUBLIC SQUARE IN ADDITION TO
THE ARTWORK OF — PAYING FOR THE
INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER FEATURE
OR STAGE, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF
WHAT IS THERE, MAKING IT EVEN
BETTER.
AND THERE ARE THINGS THERE
GIVING US ONGOING PERFORMANCES
AND EXHIBITIONS.
A MORALES WORKSHOP WITH STUDENTS
AND EXHIBITION, INTERACTIVE
INFORMATION AND KIOSK.
GEE S.MORALES WORKING WITH LOCAL
ARTISTS AND THE MAJOR ENDEAVOR
OF THE CIVIC DIALOGUE WHICH
COULD BE A CATALYST TO HOW ART
IS INTEGRATED IN THE URBAN
ENVIRONMENT.
SHE IS VERY EXCITED TO KNOW
SOMETHING IS FINALLY HAPPENING.
I GUESS EVERYBODY KIND OF KNOWS
THE GENERAL HISTORY OF REPUBLIC
SQUARE.
IT WASN'T NAMED REPUBLIC SQUARE
UNTIL SORT OF LATE IN ITS BEING.
AT ONE TIME IT WAS MEXICO
SQUARE, MEXICAN SQUARE, CHILI
SCARE, PUBLIC SQUARE.
AND WE LOST A LOT OF THAT WHEN
THAT 1926, 27, 28 EX DOES WAS
SORT OF PLANNED INTO AUSTIN'S
BEING, AND SO NOW WE'RE TRYING
TO REACH BACK AND BRING ALL OF
THAT INTO THE CENTER OF TOWN
WHERE IT BELONGS, NOT ON THE
OTHER SIDE OF I-35 AND NOT LOST
IN A DUSTY HISTORY BOOK SOARM.
SO I PERSONALLY APPRECIATE.......................................................................
ITH US IN ON THE ONLY REVITALS
FOR THE NEEDS OF THE NEW MODERN
AUSTIN, BUT ALSO IN CELEBRATING
THE HERITAGE THAT IS PART OF THE
RICHNESS THAT WE BENEFIT FROM.
AND AS WE LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER
THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN IN THAT
PARK, THAT'S WHY I WANT US TO GO
BACK, DOUBLE-CHECK THAT NEXT TO
LAST DESIGN BECAUSE I THINK THAT
WAS MORE IN KEEPING WITH
SOMETHING THAT CAPITAL ICES NOT
ONLY ON THE NEW BUT ON THE OLD.
THANK YOU, MAYOR.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
MAYOR PRO TEM.
THE REPORT ALSO MENTIONS, AND I
GUESS YOU ALL MAY HAVE MENTION
THIRD-DEGREE EARLIER, MARTHA AND
MR. MARK ROGERS WHO HELPED IN
THE RESEARCH THAT WAS DONE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS
MENTION UNDERSTAND THE REPORT ON
PAGE 4 IS THAT — MENTIONED IN
THE REPORT IS THAT THE NATIONAL
GUARD DID NOT INCLUDE RELEVANT
INFORMATION, AND EFFORTS TO
OBTAIN HISTORIC RECORDS FROM
CAMP MABRY WERE FRUITLESS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.
I DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS THAT WE
CANNOT GET RECORDS, IF THEY HAVE
THEM THERE.
BECAUSE LIKE THE MAYOR PRO TEM
SAYS, THIS REPUBLIC SQUARE HAS A
VERY RICH HISTORY.
EARLIER ON IN THE MEETING WE HAD
SOME COMMENTS ABOUT JENTRY IF I
INDICATION, AND ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT REALLY STILL OFFENDS
MINORITY COMMUNITIES IS THAT
CITY PLAN OF 1928 REALLY DEALT A
SEVERE BLOW TO THE AUSTIN OF
OLD.
SO MAYBE THIS ONE — THIS EFFORT
HERE WILL BRING BACK SOME OF
THOSE PLEASANT MEMORIES OF WHAT
THAT PLAZA WAS HOW MANY YEARS
AGO.
ANYWAY, THE MOTION BY THE MAYOR
PRO TEM WITH THE AMENDMENT, I
THINK WAS SECONDED BY ME.
IS THAT CORRECT, MAYOR PRO TEM?
IS THAT CORRECT?
FURTHER DISCUSSION?
IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
OPPOSED SAY NO.
, NO.
MOTION CARRIES ON A VOTE OF 6 TO
ZERO TO 1 WITH COUNCILMEMBER
WYNN TEMPORARILY OUT.
OFF THE DAIS.
WE'RE TO OUR 4:00 TIME CERTAIN.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO EXECUTIVE
SESSION UNTIL WE FINISH THIS ONE
AND A COUPLE OF OTHER ITEMS.
THEN WE HAVE SOME TIME BEFORE
THESE ITEMS AND THE 6:00 PUBLIC
HEARING.
SO MS. GLASCO, WELCOME.
[ONE MOMENT PLEASE CHILD
CAPTIONERS CHANGE]
STATED THAT THE NUMBER
OF UNITS ON THE PROPERTY
WERE 322.
WLD LIKE TO CORRECT THAT
TO INDICATE IT IS 330,
BASED ON A PLAN THAT WAS
APPROVED BEFORE WE
ANNEXED THIS PROPERTY
LAST YEAR.
THIS CASE WILL BE READY
FOR ALL — FOR JUST
FIRST READING.
ITEM NUMBER Z-4, CASE
C-14—02-27, LOCATED AT
HIGHWAY SIX 20 NORTH.
THE ZONING AND PLATTING
COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION IS TO
GRANT MULTI-FAMILY 2
ZONING, AND THIS CASE IS
READY FOR ALL THREE
READINGS.
ITEM NUMBER Z-5, CASE
C-14-02-29, LOCATED AT
2401 BEN WHITE BOULEVARD
EAST.
THE CHANGE IN ZONING IS
FROM SINGLE-FAMILY 2 TO
LI, WHICH STANDS FOR
LIMITED INDUSTRIAL
SERVICES.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDS LIMITED
INDUSTRIAL ZONING WITH A
CONDITIONAL OVERLAY.
THIS CASE IS READY FOR
FIRST READING ONLY.
CASE NUMBER Z-6, CASE
C-14-02-FLIRT, LOCATED
AT 5400 THROUGH 6300
WILLIAM CANNON DRIVE
EAST FROM DR TO P
PUBLIC.
THIS HAS BEEN ASKED BY
THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT TO CONSTRUCT
SOME FIELDS AND PA
PARKING LOT.
THIS IS READY FOR ALL
THREE READINGS.
THIS CONCLUDES MY
PRESENTATION FOR THE
CONSENT ITEMS.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK
YOU.
THE CONSENT CASES ARE
Z-2, CONSENT FOR THREE
READINGS.
Z-3, CONSENT FOR ONE
READING, THE FIRST
READING ONLY.
Z-4 IS CONSENT FOR ALL
THREE READINGS.
Z-5, CONSENT FOR THE
FIRST READING ONLY.
AND Z-6, CONSENT FOR ALL
THREE READINGS.
AND THEY'VE BEEN PUTTING
CARDS OVER HERE RIGHT
AND LEFT.
I DON'T KNOW ACTUALLY.
WE HAVE MR. MATT LUTZ
SIGNED UP NOT WISHING TO
SPEAK ON Z-5 IN FAVOR
OF.
ARE YOU OKAY?
THIS IS CONSENTaux FOR
FIRST READING.
QUESTIONS FOR
MS. GLASGO?
IS THERE A MOTION FOR
THE CONSENT ITEMS?
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER
GRIFFITH, SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ.
DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY
SAYING AYE.
AYE.
MAYOR GARCIA: OPPOSED
NO.
MOTION CARRIES ON A VOTE
OF 5-0-2 WITH THE MAYOR
PRO TEM AND
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS
TEMPORARILY OFF THE
DIAS.
JUST A SECOND, ALICE.
Z-1?
Z-1 IS CASE NUMBER
C-14—01- 26.
THIS CASE IS LOCATED AT
10106 GILES LANE.
THE PROPERTY IS
CURRENTLY ZONED AS DR.
THE APPLICANT IS SEEKING
A CHANGE TO LI, WHICH
STANDS FOR LIMITED
INDUSTRIAL ZONING.
THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO
GRANT LI ZONING FOR ONE
TRACT, AND THE OTHER
TRACT, TRACTS 1 AND 3,
AND THEN TRACT 2 WILL BE
ZONED RURAL RESIDENTIAL
FOR THE AREA IN THE
FLOODPLAIN.
THIS CASE HAS BEEN
AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.
IF YOU NOTICE, IT WENT
TO THE ORIGINAL PLANNING
COMMISSION BEFORE IT
WENT TO PC.
THE APPLICANT AND THE
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
WILL EXPLAIN THE —
THEIR DISCUSSIONS THUS
FAR.
OTHER THAN THAT, THE
PLANNING COMMISSION AND
STAFF DID RECOMMEND THE
ZONING.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION WAS TO
APPROVE THE STAFF
RECOMMENDATION WITH A
FEW MODIFICATIONS.
THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO
GRANT LIMITED INDUSTRIAL
ZONING FOR TRACTS 1 AND
3 AND RRL RURAL
RESIDENTIAL FOR TRACT 2,
PROHIBITING THE
FOLLOWING USES.
ALL LI USES WILL BE
PROHIBITED EXCEPT FOR
GENERAL WAREHOUSING AND
DISTRIBUTION AND LIGHT
MANUFACTURING,
PERMITTING ALL OTHER
USES THAT ARE ALLOWED IN
THE WLO ZONING DISTRICT,
THAT IS WAREHOUSE
LIMITED OFFICE ZONING
DISTRICT.
AND ALSO ALLOWING NO
MORE THAN THREE ACCESS
POINTS ON GILES ROAD.
AND FINALLY, LIMITING
THE SITE TO TWO THOUSAND
VEHICLE TRIPS PER DAY.
THE BASIS OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION, AS YOU
CAN SEE — WE HAVE AN
AERIAL IN FRONT OF YOU,
AND I WILL JUST GO TO
THE AERIAL.
THE AERIAL IN FRONT OF
YOU GIVES YOU A BETTER
PERSPECTIVE OF WHERE
IT'S LOCATED.
THIS WOULD BE 290 EAST.
THIS IS GILES LANE.
APPLIED MATERIALS IS
LOCATED RIGHT HERE.
IT SHOWS YOU A LOT OF
BUILDINGS.
THIS IS ZONED INDUSTRIAL
WITH A PUD.
THE HARRIS BRANCH
PLANNING DEVELOPMENT
ENCOMPASSES THIS ENTIRE
AREA.
YOUR RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT IS THAT WAY
AND YOUR COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT SEEMS TO
CENTER AROUND HERE.
THE SUBJECT TRACT IS
ALONG HERE, HASHED IN
RED.
AND IT'S IN THE CITY
LIMITS.
EVERYTHING WEST OF THE
PROPERTY IS OUTSIDE THE
CITY LIMITS.
FROM MY UNDERSTANDING,
THE PROPERTY DOWN HERE
IS BFI LANDFILL SITE.
AND THIS IS THE BFI
SITE.
THE PROPERTY HAS BEING
REZONED IS TO — AS
LIMITED BY THE PLANNING
COMMISSION, IT WOULD
ALLOW FOR LIMITED
WAREHOUSING AND
DISTRIBUTION AND ALL THE
USES THAT ARE ALLOWED IN
THE WLO ZONING DISTRICT,
WITH A LIMITATION ON
ACCESS POINTS.
I'M NOT AWARE OF
ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO
INFORM YOU OF.
I KNOW THE NEIGHBORHOOD
AND THE APPLICANT HAVE
BEEN ATTEMPTING TO
NEGOTIATE FOR A WHILE.
THEN THE NEGOTIATIONS
CEASED, BUT I'LL LET
THEM SPEAK TO THEIR
ISSUES.
SINCE THEY'RE NOT
SPECIFICALLY — I
UNDERSTAND THEY'RE NOT
RELATED TO THE SITE
ITSELF, SO NOT KNOWING
THOSE SPECIFICS, I'LL
LET THEM ELABORATE OF
THOSE.
I'LL PAUSE HERE UNLESS
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR
ME.
MAYOR GARCIA:
QUESTIONS OF MS. GLASGO?
YOU SAY THAT THAT AREA
WEST OF THE SITE IS
OWNED ALSO BY BFI?
I'M NOT SURE WHO
OWNED IT.
I SAID IT WAS THE FORMER
LANDFILL SITE.
I'M NOT SURE WHO OWNS IT
CURRENTLY, BUT THIS IS
THE —
MAYOR GARCIA: IT'S
NOT CURRENTLY USED AS A
LANDFILL?
THAT'S CORRECT.
IT'S NOT CURRENTLY USED
AS A LANDFILL, THIS
SITE.
MAYOR GARCIA: WHO IS
THE APPLICANT ON THIS
ONE?
THE APPLICANT ON THIS
SUBJECT TRACT IS
MR. MOBLEY.
MAYOR GARCIA: I'LL
RECOGNIZE YOU FOR FIVE
MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MAYOR,
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I REPRESENT MOBLEY
MANAGEMENT COMPANY, THE
MANAGEMENT PARTNER OF
GILES HOLDING.
I'M ALSO A PARTNER OF
GILES HOLDINGS.
THE AREA ATTACHED TO
THIS 10 ACRES, WE OWN
THE ENTIRE 350-ACRE
TRACT, OF WHICH 10 ACRES
ALONG GILES ROAD IS
WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS,
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE
SEEKING ZONING ON.
THE LANDFILL ITSELF IS
PRESENTLY OPERATED BY
BFI.
WE ARE — THEY ARE OUR
TENANTS.
THEY OPERATE IT UNDER A
LEASE AGREEMENT FROM US.
IT IS NOT IN THE CITY
LIMITS AND NOT SUBJECT
TO THIS ZONING
APPLICATION.
OVER THE LAST SUMMER, I
HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS
WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD
GROUPS, AND THROUGH THAT
PROCESS, AT THE END OF
THAT PROCESS THERE WAS A
GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT
WE HAD AGREED ON SOME LI
ZONING WITH CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS, PROHIBITED
A LONG LIST OF SPECIFIC
USES, AND IN ADDITION
ENTERED INTO RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS THAT ADDRESSED
LANDSCAPING TO BUFFER
THE OUTSIDE OF THIS
10 ACRES.
IN OTHER WORDS,
LANDSCAPE A VEGETATIVE
BUFFER BETWEEN THIS
10-ACRE STRIP AND GILES
ROAD SO THAT ANY
INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY
WOULD BE BUFFERED FROM
VIEW FROM GILES ROAD.
Hours of operation and
so forth were also
restricted.
The first time this came
in front of the planning
commission, it was — we
were asked to postpone
it and consider some
other zoning options.
And as a result of that,
in a couple of weeks
with some
recommendations from
city staff,, the wording
was changed to say LI,
prohibiting all other LI
uses, except for
warehouse distribution
and manufacturing.
What this had the effect
of doing is that our
earlier negotiations did
not encompass wascismly
this?
— was simply this.
I've checked this twice
now.
By this new wording, we
lost employee recreation
as a permitted use.
Everything else
prohibited was still
prohibited.
In all can candor, I
don't know where
differences of agreement
came up, but along the
way I was always willing
to discuss some
landscaping amenities
they wanted to see
incorporated into the
landfill design, but I
was not willing to
discuss them in the
context of this 10-acre
zoning process with the
City of Austin.
I was offered to
facilitate some meeting
with the operator of the
landfill and so forth.
None of those have
happened.
I've offered to have
follow-up meetings to
discuss what came out of
the planning commission
recommendations with
respect to this 10-acre
land use.
That didn't happen
either.
Whatever remaining
differences we have, we
still have, but I have,
I think, agreed to a
reasonable restrictions
on the land use on this
10 acres that's
appropriate with what's
going on going on within
the city limits that the
city controls.
The planning commission
was careful to point out
that they can only
control what they can
control.
In that case it happens
to be only the 10-acre
tract.
With that I'll yield the
balance of my time for
any questions or other
speakers.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
MAYOR GARCIA: Thank
you.
Questions for
Mr. MOBLEY?
Okay.
You will be given three
minutes for rebuttal
after the other speakers
speak.
The first speaker is
Ms. English.
Welcome.
And then choice best.
And then Janette clause.
Ms. English, welcome.
YOU CAN GIVE IT TO
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR
AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS DREK ENGLISH.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK
MR. MOBLEY FOR MEETING
WITH US WHEN THERE WERE
DISCUSSIONS ON THIS
PROJECT, BUT THESE ALL
TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR.
WE BASICALLY HAVE BEEN
WAITING SINCE — AND YOU
WILL SEE THIS IN MY
LETTER, JULY 17th, TO
TALK TO HIM AGAIN.
HE HAS REQUESTED SEVERAL
POSTPONEMENTS SINCE THEN
THAT HAVE NEVER
SPOKEN — BUT HAS NEVER
SPOKEN TO US OR
REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO
US.
I'VE ALSO RAN INTO HIS
LAWYER, HIS ATTORNEY,
AND I'VE RAN INTO HIS
AGENT, WHO IS RAY SHAW,
SEVERAL TIMES IN THE
LAST SIX MONTHS AT
MEETINGS, AND ASKED THEM
WHAT IS MR. MOBLEY DOING
ABOUT THIS PROPERTY, THE
ZONING CASE.
THEY DIDN'T KNOW.
SO WE WERE BASICALLY
LEFT HOLDING ALL THIS
TIME, NOT KNOWING WHAT
HE INTENDED TO DO WITH
THIS CASE.
THE POSTPONEMENTS DID
NOT COME FROM US, THEY
CAME FROM HIM.
AND HE ONLY STARTED
TO — WANTING TO DISCUSS
THINGS WITH US AGAIN
JUST A FEW DAYS AGO.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S
ALWAYS DONE AT THE LAST
MINUTE, AND WE NEVER
SEEM TO GET THE MATTERS
STRAIGHTENED OUT.
SO THIS ZONING CASE HAS
SEVERAL PROBLEMS TO ME.
THERE WERE TOO MANY
POSTPONEMENTS, AND WE
DON'T KNOW WHY.
THE STRIP OF LAND THAT
HE WANTS TO ZONE IS
STILL PART OF THE
LANDFILL PERMIT, SO WE
WERE ASKING HIM
QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT
STRIP OF LAND, ABOUT THE
LANDFILL.
IF YOU LOOK AT MY
QUESTIONS, WHICH IS ON
PAGE 3 AND 4 OF THAT
STACK I JUST GAVE YOU,
THE QUESTIONS HAVE TO
DO — THERE'S ONLY FOUR
OR FIVE QUESTION — I
THINK THERE'S ONLY FOUR,
AND THEY'RE ALL
CONCENTRATED ON THAT
STRIP OF LAND.
I'M NOT ASKING HIM
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
LANDFILL OR I'M NOT
ASKING HIM TRADE
SECRETS, JUST TO DO WITH
THE LANDFILL — I MEAN
WITH THE STRIP OF LAND.
WHAT IS ON THAT STRIP OF
LAND IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THERE ARE WELLS,
MONITORING WELLS THAT
WERE INSTALLED WHEN YOU
DIRECTED CARTER AND BURR
JESSE TO DO A STUDY OF
THE THREE LANDFILL, IT
WAS BROUGHT OUT THAT
THESE WELLS WERE NOT
INSTALLED, BFI HAD NOT
MET THE TITLE D
REQUIREMENTS, IT HAD NOT
INSTALLED THE WELLS ON
THE BOUNDARY OF THE
SITE.
WELL, SINCE WE DID
HAVE — DIDN'T HAVE ANY
DATA OR SINCE YOU DIDN'T
HAVE OR TNRCC OR SINCE
THERE WAS NO DATA
AVAILABLE, THE WELLS
WERE INSTALLED.
THEY WERE INSTALLED TO
MEET THEIR REQUIREMENT
UNDER SUBTITLE D.
[ BUZZER SOUNDS ]
NOW JANETTE WILL ADDRESS
THOSE WELLS, SO I WILL
NOT TALK ABOUT IT.
I WANTED TO TELL YOU
THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM
WITH THE RESTRICTIVE
COVENANT.
THERE'S AN AGREEMENT IN
THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT
THAT WAS NOT PART OF
WHAT WE AGREED.
WE SIGNED A LITTLE PIECE
OF PAPER AND HE SAID IF
YOU WANT A CONDITIONAL
OVERLAY, SIGN THIS PIECE
OF PAPER, WHICH
BASICALLY WE AGREED TO
GIVE THEM FIVE-DAYS'
NOTICE.
AND THE RESTRICTIVE
COVENANT NOW
INCORPORATES ALL OF THE
COFERL IN IT BECAUSE WE
HAVE TO — CONDITIONAL
OVERLAY IN IT BECAUSE WE
HAVE TO GIVE THEM 30
DAYS' NOTICE BY
CERTIFIED MAIL BEFORE WE
CAN EVEN CONTACT YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: IS THE
RESTRICTIVE COVENANT A
PRIVATE ONE?
YEAH, IT'S A PRIVATE
ONE.
SO THAT IS NOT — AND
THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY
ALSO HAS A PROBLEM.
THAT IS NOT WHAT WE
AGREED.
SO THERE ARE SEVERAL
ISSUES THAT REMAIN
TOTALLY OBSCURE.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
THANK YOU, MS. ENGLISH.
JOYCE BEST?
OKAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE
YOUR TIME TO MS. KLAUS?
OKAY.
JANETTE KLAUS.
WELCOME.
PUT THREE MINUTES ON
THAT CLOCK AGAIN.
THEY JUST EXCHANGED
PLACES.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, MAYOR AND
COUNCILMEMBERS.
I'M JANETTE KLOTZ, I'M A
MEMBER OF THE NORTHEAST
ACTION GROUP.
AND THE HANDOUT YOU ARE
GETTING, I WILL GO
THROUGH IT PAGE BY PAGE
WITH YOU.
BUT I'LL JUST GO AHEAD
AND START WITH A
STATEMENT.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING
THAT MR. MOBLEY, THE
PROPERTY OWNER ON THIS
ZONING CASE, HAS
INDICATED THAT HE DOES
NOT WANT TO DISCUSS BFI
LANDFILL RELATED ISSUES
WITH NEIGHBORHOOD
REPRESENTATIVES.
THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES
THAT TIE THE BFI
LANDFILL WITH THIS
PROPOSED REZONING, AND
MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO
SEPARATE THEM.
SOME OF THESE ISSUES
ARE: THE TRACT OF LAND
IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE TNRCC
PERMIT FOR THE BFI
LANDFILL, AND BEING PART
OF THE LANDFILL, WOULD
PRESUMABLY BE INCLUDED
IN BFI'S LEASE.
TWO, IT IS MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT SINCE
THIS TRACT IS INCLUDED
IN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE
PERMIT, A MAJOR AMEND
AMENDMENT TO THE
CONTRACT WOULD BE
REQUIRED SO THAT AN
ENTITY OTHER THAN BFI
COULD TAKE PLACE ON IT.
3, BFI GROUND MONITORING
WELLS ARE LOCATED ON THE
TRACT PROPOSED FOR
REZONING.
SHE ALREADY MENTIONED
THIS.
IF THEY WERE RELOCATED,
IT WOULD MEAN THE
SAMPLING DATA FROM THE
RELOCATED WELLS WOULD
NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR TWO
YEARS AFTER
INSTALLATION.
THEN AFTER THAT PERIOD
OF TIME, IF THE
MONITORING WELLS WOULD
NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE
CON TEXAS A&M GNAT
MIGHTGATION UNLESS THEY
ARE CONTINUOUS FOR MORE
THAN ONE SAMPLING.
CONSEQUENTLY, IT WOULD
BE AN EVEN LONGER PERIOD
OF TIME BEFORE MIGRATION
FROM HAZARDOUS WASTE
WOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED TO
HAVE OCCURRED.
FOUR, DATA IN THE CITY
OF AUSTIN'S CARTER AND
BURR GUESS LANDFILL
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
OF 1999, RAISED A RED
FLAG ABOUT POSSIBLE
CONTAMINATION IN
MONITORING WELL NUMBER
13 THAT IS LOCATED ON
THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF
THE BFI LANDFILL
ADJACENT TO THE WASTE
MANAGEMENT LANDFILL.
IT'S A MON — IF THE
MONITORING WELLS WERE
MOVED, IT WOULD BE YEARS
BEFORE MONITORING DATA
THAT IS CONSIDERED VALID
WOULD AGAIN BE
AVAILABLE.
THESE ARE BUT SOME OF
THE ISSUES THAT ARE
RAISED BY THE PROPOSED
REZONING.
AND WITH THE FAR
REACHING IMPLICATIONS,
BRINGING INTO QUESTION
THE WISDOM OF THE
REZONING.
THE SECOND PAGE, OF
COURSE, IS THE — IN THE
HANDOUT IS THE MAP
SHOWING THE STRIP, WHICH
YOU HAVE THE MAP ALREADY
BEFORE YOU.
THE THIRD PAGE IS THE
GROUNDWATER MONITORING
SYSTEM FOR THE BFI
LANDFILL.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS
MAP OR THIS DRAWING,
THE — ANYWAY, THIS
SIDE —
[ BUZZER SOUNDS ]
— IS THE STRIP THAT IS
UP FOR REZONING.
THERE ARE SEVERAL
MONITORING WELLS — IT
APPEARS THERE ARE
SEVERAL MONITORING WELLS
WITHIN THAT STRIP, SO
EITHER THEY WOULD HAVE
TO BE MOVED OR SOMETHING
WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE
ABOUT THEM, AND IT
CONSEQUENTLY WOULD START
A CLOCK OVER ON THE —
ON THE SAMPLING DATA.
MAYOR GARCIA: DOES
ANYBODY WANT TO GIVE
TIME TO MS. KLOTZ?
[ INAUDIBLE ]
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
YOU HAVE THREE MORE
MINUTES.
ACTUALLY ABOUT TWO
MINUTES AND A HALF,
BECAUSE YOU ALREADY USED
UP ABOUT 30 SECONDS.
OKAY.
SORRY.
I CAN'T TALK ANY FASTER.
THE NEXT PAGE IS AN
EXAMPLE.
IT'S LABORED CHLORIDE IN
GROUNDWATER FOR BFI.
IT IS FROM THE CARTER
BURGESS REPORT.
IT SHOWS MONITORING WELL
13 HAVING WHAT APPEARS
TO BE ABNORMALLY HIGH
CONCENTRATION OF
CHLORIDE IN SAMPLING.
THIS CAN BE AN INDICATOR
FOR — OF CON CON TEXAS
INATION.
THERE IS THAT
POSSIBILITY, I
UNDERSTAND.
THE NEXT PAGE IS THE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
GROUNDWATER MONITORING
SYSTEM.
I ENCLOSED THAT BECAUSE
I WANTED TO BRING YOUR
ATTENTION TO MONITORING
WELL 1-A, WHICH IS IN
THE UPPER CORNER, WHICH
WOULD BE THE NORTH —
THE NORTHEAST CORNER.
AND WOULD BE THE CLOSEST
WELL TO MONITORING WELL
13, WHICH IS THE ONE
THAT IS — THAT HAS
SHOWN THE CONTAMINATION
FOR BFI FOR THE
CHLORIDE.
WHEN YOU GO TO THE NEXT
PAGE, WHICH SHOWS THE
CHLORIDE FROM WASTE
MANAGEMENT, MONITORING
WELL 1, THE FIRST ONE,
IS THE ONE THAT IS
SHOWING THE HIGHER
READING AGAIN.
AND IT'S — THERE'S A
REASON IT RAISES THE RED
FLAG IS BECAUSE THIS
MONITORING WELL ON WASTE
MANAGEMENT AND THE ONE
ON BFI ARE ADJACENT TO
EACH OTHER.
AND THE READINGS ARE
VERY CONSISTENT FOR BOTH
OF THOSE WELLS FOR THESE
CHLORIDES.
THE NEXT PAGES ARE
COPIES OF THE QUESTIONS
THAT MS. ENGLISH HAS
PROVIDED TO YOU EARLIER,
AND SOME MATERIAL BACK
IN ONE OF THE QUESTIONS
TO THAT.
I CAN'T THINK OF
ANYTHING ELSE AT THE
MOMENT, BUT THESE — THE
LOCATION OF THESE WELLS
IN THIS PARTICULAR
STRIP, THIS UPPER
REZONING, IS A VERY
IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT
NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT
BEFORE THIS TRACT IS
REZONED.
IF THERE ARE ANY
QUESTIONS, I'LL TRY TO
ANSWER THEM.
ALVAREZ: MAYOR?
MS. KLOTZ, YOU'VE STATED
THAT IF THE WELLS ARE
MOVED, THEN WE WON'T BE
ABLE TO USE THE
MONITORING DATA FOR TWO
YEARS.
IS THAT BECAUSE WE WON'T
HAVE ENOUGH DATA TO
NOTICE TRENDS?
FROM WHAT I
UNDERSTAND IS THERE IS A
TWO-YEAR PERIOD WHERE
THEY ONLY HAVE BASELINE
DATA THAT IS — AND IT'S
NOT CONSIDERED UNTIL
THAT BASELINE DATA IS IN
PLACE OR MIGRATION
SHOWING UP IN THIS
SAMPLING EVENT.
THEN AFTER THE BASELINE
DATA IS IN PLACE, WHICH
TAKES TWO YEARS, THEN IF
THERE ARE ANY THAT SHOW
UP IN THE WELLS, THERE
SHOULD BE, FROM WHAT I
UNDERSTAND, MORE THAN
ONE HIT IN ORDER TO
DETERMINE WHETHER THERE
IS TRUE MIGRATION OR
WHETHER IT'S JUST A
FLUKE IN THE SAMPLE.
SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT A
LONGER TIME PERIOD THAN
TWO YEARS.
ALVAREZ: AND THEN —
SO THIS PARTICULAR TRACT
THAT'S UP FOR REZONING
IS NOT OWNED BY BFI?
YES, IT IS OWNED BY
BFI, AND THIS IS THE
THING THAT IS CAUSING A
LITTLE — I'M SORRY,
IT'S NOT OWNED BY BFI.
BFI IS LEASING — IT'S
MY UNDERSTANDING THIS
TRACT IS IN — IS PART
OF THE METES AND BOUNDS
OF THE BFI PERMIT, SO IT
IS PART OF THE LANDFILL
PERMIT THAT BFI HAD.
BFI DOESN'T OWN ANY OF
THE LAND, LIKE
MR. MOBLEY INDICATED.
IT'S ALL BEING LEASED BY
BFI.
BUT THIS TRACT IS PART
OF THE LANDFILL PERMIT.
ALVAREZ: SO THEN YOUR
CONCERN IS THAT THESE
WELLS WOULD BE
RELOCATED?
YES.
ALVAREZ: THERE'S BEEN
NO COMMITMENT BY THE
APPLICANT TO PRESERVE
THOSE MONITORING WELLS?
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER
TNRCC WOULD ALLOW IT OR
NOT.
IF THERE IS A MAJOR
AMENDMENT TO REMOVE THIS
TRACT FROM THE PERMIT,
WHICH IT'S MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT WOULD
HAVE TO TAKE PLACE, I
DON'T KNOW IF TNRCC
WOULD THEN REQUIRE THE
WELLS TO BE MOVED,
WHETHER THEY WOULD ALLOW
THEM TO STAY IN PLACE.
MY UNDERSTANDING FROM —
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND,
THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE ON
THE BOUNDARY OF THE
PERMITTED LANDFILL,
WHICH THEN WOULD BE
EXCLUDING THIS TRACT.
ALVAREZ: WELL, I'LL
ASK THE APPLICANT ALSO
ABOUT THEIR INTENTIONS.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: THERE'S
ONE MORE SPEAKER, AND
THEN YOU CAN HAVE THREE
MINUTES TO REBUT.
JOYCE BEST.
WELCOME, MS. BEST.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR,
COUNCILMEMBERS.
I APPRECIATE THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
THE PARTICULAR EXCLUSION
THAT THE NEIGHBORHOODS
WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HAD
ON THIS ZONING WAS
GENERAL WAREHOUSE
DISTRICT.
AND IN OUR INITIAL
AGREEMENT THAT HAD BEEN
THE CASE, AND THEN WHEN
IT WENT TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION, SOMEHOW THAT
ENDED UP BEING INCLUDED.
AND OF COURSE, THAT'S A
LOT OF OPEN AIR TYPE OF
BUSINESS, AND WE HAD
ASKED NOT TO HAVE THAT.
AS A MATTER OF FACT,
FROM THE TIME THAT THE
CITY STAFF FIRST
APPROVED THIS, A NUMBER
OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED
ABOUT THE PARTICULAR
SITE.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS
THAT ALTHOUGH IT IS
STATED IN THE STAFF'S
REPORT THAT A PORTION OF
THIS PROPERTY IS IN THE
FLOODPLAIN, WE DO
UNDERSTAND FROM THE
COUNTY THAT BFI IS
PLANNING TO RECHANNEL
THE CREEK AND LANDFILL
ON TOP OF THAT
FLOODPLAIN.
THIS WOULD CREATE AN
ENORMOUS IMPACT ON THE
ADJACENT PROPERTIES IN
TERMS OF RUNOFF.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT
THE CITY WAS PRIVY TO
THIS INFORMATION AT THE
TIME THAT THEY — THE
STAFF MADE THEIR
RECOMMENDATION, AND I
THINK IT'S OF A GREAT
DEAL OF CONCERN THAT
THEY'RE GOING TO BE
TINKERING WITH THE
FLOODPLAIN AND
RECHANNELING THE CREEK.
THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT
IN THE ENSUING MONTHS
SINCE THIS WAS FIRST
SUBMITTED, BFI HAS
PURCHASED A NUMBER OF
SMALLER HAULERS.
AND WE NOW NOTICE THAT
THEY'RE BRINGING IN A
NUMBER OF HUGE TRANSPORT
TRUCKS.
AND WE ARE CONVINCED
THAT THE TRAFFIC PATTERN
HAS CHANGED
SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE
PAST FEW MONTHS.
AND THIS, OF COURSE,
MAKES IT A LITTLE MORE
DIFFICULT TOO.
AND THEY ARE LAND
FILLING AT A TRELD
USUALLY INCREASED RATE.
AND — TREMENDOUSLY
INCREASED RATE.
AND ALL OF THESE THINGS
ARE PROBLEMATIC FOR US
IN TERMS OF TRYING TO
DETERMINE THE IMPACT
THAT DOING ANY SORT OF
DEVELOPMENT ON THESE
ACRES WOULD COST TO THE
SURROUNDING AREA, AND
PARTICULARLY ACROSS THE
STREET ON SOME PROPERTY.
IT ALSO HAS WETLANDS AND
THE ENTIRE — THE CREEK
THAT THAT
RECHANNELIZATION WOULD
BE TAKING PLACE ON,
FEEDS RIGHT INTO DECKER
LAKE.
SO THAT'S THE CONCERN
FOR US.
AND THAT IS WHY WE
OPPOSE IT.
SO OUR CONTENTION IS
THAT A NUMBER OF THINGS
HAVE CHANGED SINCE THIS
WAS FIRST CONSIDERED,
AND THE FACT THAT WE
WERE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE
THE EXCLUSION OF GENERAL
WAREHOUSING MAKES THIS A
PROBLEM FOR US.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA:
MR. MOBLEY FOR REBUTTAL,
THREE MINUTES.
THANK YOU.
WITH RESPECT TO THE LAST
ISSUE FIRST, THE
OBJECTIONABLE USES THE
NEIGHBORHOOD FOUND TO
SUBJECT OUTSIDE USES AS
EQUIPMENT DEALERSHIPS
AND THAT KIND OF THING,
I BELIEVE WE HAVE
EXCLUDE WITH THE WAY —
EXCLUDED WITH THE WAY
THIS THING IS
CURRENTLY — THIS ZONING
IS CURRENTLY PHRASED.
WITH RESPECT TO THE REST
OF IT, MS. KLOTZ'S
COMMENTS FOR THE MOST
PART, AND MS. BEST'S AS
WELL TO SOME EXTENT
REPEATEDLY WERE, I
THINK, AIMED AT TRYING
TO GET THIS CITY COUNCIL
INTO A REGULATORY
BUSINESS THAT IS COVERED
BY OTHERS.
A DIVERSION OF —
REARRANGEMENT OF THE
FLOODPLAIN ON A PART
OF — A ANOTHER PART OF
THIS PROPERTY ALSO
OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY
HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY
BFI AND PROCESSED BY THE
CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND
ALSO THE COUNTY
ENGINEER.
THE REST OF THESE
MONITOR WELL ISSUES ARE
A SUBJECT FOR THE TNRCC.
IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO
BE MOVED PER TNRCC
RULES, THEY WON'T BE
MOVED.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT I
CAN THINK OF THAT KEEPS
ME FROM DEVELOPING THIS
TRACT FOR OTHER USES
WITH BFI MAINTAINING
APPROPRIATE EASEMENTS TO
GET INTO THEIR MONITOR
WELLS.
WHICH HAS PRETTY WELL
BEEN THE PLAN ALL ALONG.
IF THAT IS A PROBLEM,
THE TNRCC WILL SAY SO.
THESE GROUPS HAVE HAD
SOME DISAGREEMENT WITH
THE TNRCC AND THE WAY
THEY ENFORCE LANDFILL
REGULATIONS, AND THEY'RE
ASKING Y'ALL TO GET IN
THAT BUSINESS.
I WOULD LIKE TO DISAGREE
WITH THAT REGULATORY
APPROACH AND WOULD LIKE
TO GET — I'VE OFFERED,
AGAIN, REASONABLE
RESTRICTIONS ON THESE —
ON THE USE OF THIS LAND,
AND I THINK WE'VE MADE A
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WITH THEM.
WITH RESPECT TO THE
30-DAY NOTICE, I ASKED
THEM TO GIVE FIVE-DAYS'
NOTICE BEFORE THEY
COMPLAINED TO THE CITY
THAT THERE WERE ANY
VIOLATIONS LAND USE
REQUIREMENTS.
AND THE WAY THE
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
WERE DEVELOPED, THEY'VE
GOT 30 DAYS TO FILE A
LAWSUIT.
30 DAYS AFTER THEY'VE
NOTIFIED US.
[ BUZZER SOUNDS ]
I THINK THERE'S —
[ BUZZER SOUNDS ]
I DIDN'T REALLY REALIZE
THAT.
I'D BE HAPPY TO CHANGE
IT IF THAT'S WHAT IT
TOOK TO KEEP MY RECORD
INTACT, BUT I'VE
OTHERWISE DONE
EVERYTHING I'VE SAID I
WOULD ALL THE WAY ALONG.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: JUST A
QUICK QUESTION.
I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND.
ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE
CITY IN DOING THE
GRANTING OF THE ZONING
CHANGE CANNOT IN ANY
WAY, SHAPE OR FORM,
IMPACT WHAT MIGHT BE THE
JURISDICTION OF ANOTHER
AGENCY?
NO, SIR, I'M NOT
SAYING THAT.
I'M SAYING THAT —
MAYOR GARCIA: LET ME
EXPLAIN WHY.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU
SAY TNRCC IS GOING TO
REGULATE THE LANDFILL,
BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO
AUTHORIZE A USE OF THAT
LAND THAT IN ESSENCE
PREVENTS THE REGULATORY
AGENCY FROM GETTING THE
READING ON WATER QUALITY
ON THE TEST WELLS,
BECAUSE THEY MOVE THEM
AND THEN THEY DON'T HAVE
THE INFORMATION, THEN I
THINK WE ARE — BY OUR
PERMITS, WE ARE
AFFECTING THE CARRYING
OUT OF THEIR
RESPONSIBILITY, AND WE
DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.
NO, SIR.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO.
I DON'T THINK YOU'RE
DOING ANYTHING THAT
REQUIRES THE MOVEMENT OF
THE MONITOR WELLS.
I DON'T THINK YOU'RE
DOING ANYTHING THAT
PERMITS THE MOVEMENT OF
THE MONITOR WELLS.
MS. KLOTZ IS PROBABLY
RIGHT.
THERE'S A LOT OF DATA
HERE THAT I WOULDN'T
WANT TO COMMENT ON ONE
WAY OR THE OTHER.
SHE IS PROBABLY RIGHT
THAT IT TAKES A MAJOR
MODIFICATION TO MOVE
THOSE MONITOR WELLS, AND
THEY MAY WELL NOT BE
MOVED.
NONE OF THAT SAYS THAT
THESE COULDN'T BE
APPROPRIATELY DEVELOPED
AT SMALL WAREHOUSES OR
OFFICES WITH EASEMENTS
AVAILABLE TO BFI TO
ACCESS THEIR MONITOR
WELLS.
MAYOR GARCIA: IS THAT
WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING TO
PROVIDE THE EASEMENTS SO
THAT THEY CAN HAVE THE
WELLS THERE?
YES, SIR, THAT'S BEEN
MY PLAN.
I HADN'T — I HAVEN'T
FELT LIKE I SPECIFICALLY
HAD TO ADDRESS THAT IN
ANYTHING I'VE SHOWN THE
CITY.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR
MR. MOBLEY?
ANYBODY?
ALVAREZ: MAYOR?
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ: IN TERMS OF
THE RESTRICTIONS THAT
YOU'RE REFERRING TO TO
ACCOMMODATE THE
NEIGHBORS OR THEIR
CONCERNS, MAINLY IT'S
THE RESTRICTION ON USES
OR WHAT SPECIFICALLY IS
IT REFERRING TO?
THERE'S A GENERAL
CATEGORY OF THE KIND OF
LAND USES THAT NOBODY
ELSE WANTS EITHER,
OUTSIDE STORAGE OF
EQUIPMENT AS IT PERTAINS
TO EQUIPMENT DEALERSHIPS
AND MACHINERY
DEALERSHIPS AND THINGS
LIKE THAT ARE PROHIBITED
BY ZONING, AS I
UNDERSTAND IT.
THE RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS WE ENTERED
INTO HAVE TO DO WITH
NIGHTTIME OUTSIDE
OPERATIONS, VEGETATIVE
BUFFER, ANY NUMBER OF
THINGS YOU TYPICALLY SEE
IN RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS.
THERE WAS A BONE OF
CONTENTION THAT I REALLY
DIDN'T HAVE A ROLE IN.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS
WANTED SOME OF THE
THINGS IN A CONDITIONAL
OVERLAY INSTEAD OF A
RESTRICTIVE COVENANT.
I WAS HAPPY TO LET IT
HAPPEN EITHER WAY.
HOWEVER THEY WANTED TO
SEE IT RESTRICTED WAS
FINE WITH ME.
I DID NOT CARE.
BUT THE STAFF THOUGHT
THAT AS A MATTER OF LAW
THAT CERTAIN THINGS HAD
TO BELONG IN RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS AND CERTAIN
THINGS HAD TO BELONG IN
CONDITIONAL OVERLAYS.
ALVAREZ: SO WHAT ARE
THE RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS THEN?
I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T
GET UP HERE WITH THEM.
IF YOU'LL GIVE ME A
MINUTE, I'LL FIND THEM.
ALVAREZ: I DON'T KNOW
IF STAFF WITH SPEAK TO
THAT IN TERMS OF WHAT'S
IN THE RESTRICTIVE
COVENANT AND WHAT'S IN
THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY.
COUNCIL, I WANT TO
CLARIFY THAT THERE IS A
PRIVATE CONVENT THAT HE
AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARE
SPEAKING TO.
YOU HAVE ONE IN YOUR
BACKUP TOO.
AND IT IS A RESTRICTIVE
COVENANT THAT SEEMS TO
BE THE PRIVATE ONE
BETWEEN THE APPLICANT
AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO
ONE, HOURS OF OPERATION;
NUMBER TWO, THAT
INDICATE THAT ANY ZONING
REQUESTS MADE BY GILES
HOLDINGS RELATED TO THE
PORTION OF THE PROPERTY
THAT IS WITHIN THE
DESIGNATED
100-FLOODPLAIN SHALL BE
FOR RR ZONING, WHICH IS
BEING HANDLED THROUGH
THE ZONING PROCESS, SO
THAT WOULD BE ADDRESSED
THAT WAY.
THE THIRD ITEM INDICATES
THAT THE PREDOMINANT
FRONT SIDE OF ALL
BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED ON
THIS PROPERTY SHALL FACE
GILES ROAD.
NUMBER FOUR, ALL USES OF
THE PROPERTY SHALL
COMPLY WITH CURRENT,
STATE AND LOCAL RULES
AND REGULATIONS RELATED
TO ORDER, EMISSIONS,
NOISE AND POLLUTION
REQUIREMENTS.
NUMBER FIVE, THE OWNER
OF THE PROPERTY SHALL
ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A
VEGETATIVE BUFFER
CONSISTING OF EVERGREEN
TREES AND BUSHES OF A
MATURE HEIGHT OF AT
LEAST EIGHT FEET TO
PREVENT VIEW FROM GILES
ROAD AND AREAS USED FOR
LOADING AND UNLOADING,
TRASH DISPOSAL AND OTHER
AREAS THAT NEED TO BE
SCREENED.
THEN THOSE ARE THE
CONDITIONS OF THIS
PRIVATE COULD HAVE VENT.
THE — COVENANT.
THE REMAINDER HAVE TO DO
WITH HOW TO AMEND THE
COVENANT. AND IT SAYS
THE TERMS AND
RESTRICTIONS OF THE
RESTRICTIVE COVENANT MAY
BE ENFORCED BY ANY OF
THE ASSOCIATIONS
REFERRED TO HERE IN.
THERE'S HOMEOWNERS
ASSOCIATION AND THEN
ITEM D RELATES TO WHEN
THEY NEED TO NOTIFY THE
OWNER REGARDING
VIOLATIONS.
AND IT INDICATES THEY
WOULD NOTIFY HIM WITHIN
30 DAYS.
AND THE REST OF IT IS
JUST YOUR GENERAL TERM
TERMINOLOGY THAT ARE
USED IN THE RESTRICTIVE
COVENANTS.
DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR
QUESTION?
ALVAREZ: SO THAT HAS
BEEN ENTERED INTO BY THE
APPLICANT?
IT HAS NOT BEEN
EXECUTED.
ACTUALLY, THE COPY I
HAVE IS IEND FOOIND.
I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S
BEEN RECORDED IN THE
COURTHOUSE.
IT'S BEEN RECORDED TOO?
IT'S SIGNED, RATHER, BUT
HAS IT BEEN RECORDED IN
THE COURTHOUSE?
OKAY.
IT IS SIGNED.
ALVAREZ: OKAY.
AND THEN THE REST OF THE
RESTRICTIONS IN TERMS OF
THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY
ARE JUST ON THE USES?
CORRECT.
THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY
WE HAVE IS JUST FOR
PROHIBITING ALL LI USES
EXCEPT FOR ALL WAREHOUSE
USES AND LIGHT
MANUFACTURING AND
PERMITTING ALL OTHER WLO
OFFICE USES, ALLOWING —
LIMITING ACCESS TO THREE
ACCESS POINTS ON TO
GILES ROAD AND ALSO
LIMITING THE VEHICLE
TRIPS TO 2000.
AND THEN THE FLOODPLAINS
WOULD ALSO BE ZONED
RURAL RESIDENTIAL.
I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO
INFORM COUNCIL THAT THIS
IS ZONING, AS YOU ALL
KNOW, IS A PROCESS WHERE
YOU IDENTIFY THE
APPROPRIATENESS OF
ZONING, IF IT IS INDEED
APPROPRIATE AND YOU PLAN
TO ZONE IT.
PERMITS ARE REQUIRED AT
A LATER DATE.
ZONING IS NOT A PERMIT.
I KNOW YOU UNDERSTAND
THIS, BUT I'M STATING IT
TO ENSURE THAT THE
SPEAKERS WILL UNDERSTAND
THAT BEFORE ANY
DEVELOPMENT CAN OCCUR,
INCLUDING FLOODPLAIN
MIGRATION, NEEDS A
PERMIT FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF WATERSHED
PROTECTION, INCLUDING,
EVEN IN THE COUNTY, TO
MODIFY A FLOODPLAIN.
MAYOR GARCIA: MA'AM?
COULD YOU ALLOW
MS. GLASGO TO FINISH HER
CEANSS, PLEASE.
I SPEAK FROM
EXPERIENCE.
I USED TO BE IN CHARGE
OF THAT DEPARTMENT, SO I
DO KNOW WHEN PERMITS ARE
REQUIRED.
AND FOR CERTAIN
DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING
THAT KIND OF MAJOR
CHANNELIZATION, HAS TO
GET SOME APPROVAL FROM
SOMEBODY.
THAT CONCLUDES MY
PRESENTATION, MAYOR.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK
YOU.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION
TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING AND THEN WE CAN
ASK QUESTIONS AND ASK
FOR CLARIFICATIONS.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER
SLUSHER.
SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER GRIFFITH.
ALL IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY
SAYING AYE.
AYE.
MAYOR GARCIA: OPPOSED
NO.
MOTION CARRIES ON A VOTE
OF 6-0-1 WITH THE MAYOR
PRO TEM TEMPORARILY
ABSENT.
QUESTIONS FOR THE STAFF
OR THE PROPONENTS OR THE
OPPONENTS OF THIS ISSUE?
IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE ZONING AND PLATTING,
LIKE YOU SAY — LET SEE
FE Z IF I PRONOUNCE THIS
CORRECTLY.
WHAT IS THE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THEY
SENT FROM THE
COMMISSION?
THE RECOMMENDATION
FROM THE COMMISSION IS
TO GRANT LIMITED — FOR
AN LI ZONING FOR TRACTS
1 AND 3 AND TO GRANT
RURAL RESIDENTIAL ZONING
FOR TRACT 3, WHICH IS
THE AREA IN THE
FLOODPLAIN, ACCORD TO GO
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
AND TO ALSO PROHIBIT ALL
INDUSTRIAL USES, EXCEPT
FOR GENERAL WAREHOUSING
AND DISTRIBUTION AND
LIGHT MANUFACTURING.
THOSE WOULD BE THE TWO
LI USES.
AND THEN ALLOW ALL USES
PERMITTED IN THE WLO
ZONING DISTRICT, LIMIT
ACCESS TO THREE ACCESS
POINTS ON TO GILES ROAD,
AND LIMIT THE VEHICLE
ACCESS TO TWO THOUSAND
TRIPS A DAY.
THAT'S THE COMMISSION'S
RECOMMENDATION.
MAYOR GARCIA: ANY
OTHER QUESTIONS FOR
MS. GLASGO?
IS THERE A MOTION ON
THIS ITEM?
THIS WOULD BE FOR FIRST
READING ONLY?
THIS WOULD BE FIRST
READING ONLY, YES.
ALVAREZ: I'M GOING TO
MOVE APPROVAL ON FIRST
READING, BUT ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT I WANT TO
SEE IF WE CAN ADDRESS IS
THIS WHOLE ISSUE OF THE
EASEMENTS AND ACCESS TO
THE MONITORING WELLS,
AND IF THAT CAN'T BE
FORMALIZED SOMEHOW.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD
BE IN THE RESTRICTIVE
COVENANT OR HOW YOU DO
THOSE KIND OF EASEMENTS.
AND MAYBE STAFF CAN
SPEAK TO THAT.
WE CAN LOOK INTO ALL
THOSE ASPECTS, WORK WITH
TNRCC AND SOLID WASTE
SERVICES TO THE EXTENT
THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO
HELP US IN UNDERSTANDING
THE ISSUE OF THE
MONITORING THEM AND COME
BACK WITH A REPORT FOR
SECOND READING, SECOND
AND THIRD READING SO
THAT YOU CAN DECIDE
WHETHER THAT INFORMATION
ADEQUATELY ADDRESSES THE
CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN
RAISED BY THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
ALVAREZ: AND ALSO IF
WE CAN — I DON'T KNOW
IF WE CAN — IF THE
APPLICANT OR OUR OWN
STAFF CAN COMMUNICATE
WITH BFI TO SEE IF
THEY'RE GOING TO BE
SEEKING THAT MAJOR
MODIFICATION TO RELOCATE
THOSE MONITORING WELLS.
WE CAN DO THAT.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION
BY COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ
FOR A FIRST READING ONLY
ON THE COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION, AND THEN
THERE WILL PROBABLY BE
SOME AMENDMENTS THAT YOU
WILL PROPOSE ON THE
QUESTIONS THAT YOU
BROUGHT UP.
IS THERE A SECOND?
SECONDED BY
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN.
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ?
DO YOU WANT TO ELABORATE
MORE ON THE —
MS. BROWN, DID YOU NOTE
THE THINGS THAT HE WANTS
TO AMEND THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE
COMMISSION?
I CAN GET THEM OFF
THE TAPE, MAYOR.
ALVAREZ: BASICALLY, I
DO HAVE — I THINK AT
THIS POINT IT SHOULD BE
STATED ONE WAY OR THE
OTHER WHETHER IF THERE
IS GOING TO BE THAT
EFFORT TO RELOCATE THOSE
MONITORING WELLS AND
THEN WHAT EFFECT THAT
WOULD HAVE IN TERMS OF
THE INFORMATION THAT'S
AVAILABLE IF THERE IS A
MIGRATION OR NOT.
AND MY PREFERENCE IS
HONESTLY, THAT THOSE
WELLS BE MAINTAINED.
AND IF THE APPLICANT CAN
MAKE THAT COMMITMENT,
THEN THERE ISN'T A
PROBLEM HERE, BUT I'D
LIKE TO GET SOME
INDICATION OF WHAT IS
PLANNED AND AS SOON AS
WE APPROVE THIS ZONING
OR NOT APPROVE IT, I
GUESS, IF IT WERE TO BE
APPROVED, THEN
IMMEDIATELY THAT
APPLICATION FOR THE
RELOCATION OF THE WELLS
IS GOING TO OCCUR OR
NOT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT
WOULD BE DIVULGED.
I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE
TO KNOW, IF POSSIBLE.
WILL DO.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
MAYOR PRO TEM?
GOODMAN: OH, OKAY.
I'LL JUST SAY FOR FIRST
READING.
AND I'M SORRY, I WAS OFF
THE DIAS, BUT I KNEW
THERE WAS A POSSIBLE
DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION AND
THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT
WE ENFORCE THE
EQUIPMENT.
— THE AGREEMENT.
MAYOR GARCIA: DOES
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE
APPLICANT UNDERSTAND
WHAT THE COUNCIL WANTS
TO DO?
OKAY.
ALL RIGHT.
FURTHER QUESTIONS ARE
OR
COMMENTS?
IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR,
SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
AYE.
MAYOR GARCIA: OPPOSED
NO.
MOTION CARRIES ON A VOTE
OF 7-40.
AND THAT'S ALL THE
ZONING.
THAT CONCLUDES THE
ZONING PRESENTATION.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK
YOU, MS. GLASGO.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS?
THOMAS: THE
NEIGHBORS, ARE THEY
GOING TO GET — THEY
DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, BUT
WE'RE GOING TO EXPLAIN?
THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT
WE'RE DOING?
WE'LL GET WITH THEM
AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING
IS FINE.
THOMAS: THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCIL, I'M GOING TO
ASK THAT WE ALLOW A
SPEAKER THAT TRIED TO
GET HIS NAME ON THE
CITIZENS COMMUNICATION
GENERAL AND SOMETHING
HAPPENED AT THE OFFICE,
AND HE COULD NOT GET ON.
MR. READ HAMAD.
IF YOU COULD COME TO
THIS MIC.
AND LET ME SAY THAT I
WOULD ASK YOU WHEN YOU
COME AND REQUEST
SOMETHING THAT YOU DO IT
IN A MANNER THAT IS NOT
OFFENSIVE.
THERE'S NO NEED FOR
THAT.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE
REASONABLE PEOPLE AND WE
CAN LISTEN TO YOU.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
BUT I CALLED THREE TIMES
BEFORE I ASKED HIM.
AND I ASKED YOU
SPECIFICALLY TO TELL ME
WHAT ARE THE —
MAYOR GARCIA: I
UNDERSTAND.
ANYWAY.
GOOD EVENING MR. MAYOR,
GOOD EVEN
COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MR. HAMAD.
AND I'VE LIVED IN THIS
TOWN FOR 32 YEARS AND
PAID TAXES FOR ALL THE
THINGS THAT THE CITY
CONTRIBUTED TO BUILDINGS
AND ALL THE FI AS CO-S
FROM THE SOUTH TEXAS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO
NUTLY BUILT INTEL
BUILDING.
NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT
THE CITY IS TRYING TO
HELP THE INTEL
CORPORATION TO MANAGE
GETTING OUT OF THE INTEL
BUILDING.
AND THE REASON THEY GIVE
IS THAT BUSINESS IS NOT
SO WELL.
I HAVE AN ARTICLE HERE
PUBLISHED IN THE HEART'S
MAGAZINE.
THE FACT IS THAT THE
INTEL CORPORATION IS
BUILDING 2 NEW PLANTS IN
ISRAEL.
ONE IS ON AN ILLEGAL
SETTLEMENT AND IT'S FOR
A PROCESS IN A RIVER AND
IN THE GOLDEN HEIGHTS,
WHICH IS AGAIN OCCUPIED.
A ACCORDING TO THESE
ARTICLES, THE TWO PLANTS
ARE GOING CREATE MORE
THAN TWO THOUSAND JOBS.
AND THE WAGES ARE NOT
LIKE IN THE PHILIPPINES
WHERE THE PEOPLE MAKE
LIKE 15 AND $20 A WEEK
AND INTEL IS GOING THERE
FOR ECONOMIC REASONS.
THEY'RE GOING THERE FOR
POLITICAL REASONS.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE
TAXPAYERS OF AUSTIN
SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO
ANYTHING TO HELP INTEL
GET UF OUT OF THEIR
COMMITMENT TO OCCUPY
THAT BUILDING IF THEY
CAN AFFORD TO BUILD THE
PLANTS IN ISRAEL AND
CREATE JOBS IN ISRAEL, I
THINK THEY SHOULD BE
ABLE TO FINANCE THEIR
BUILDING COMMITMENTS.
WHAT I'M AFRAID OF HERE
IS JUST LIKE EXXON AND
TEXACO, EVERY TIME THEY
WANT SOMEBODY TO PROTECT
THEIR OIL FIELDS, THEY
SEND HALF A MILLION
PEOPLE OF OUR MEN AND
WOMEN TO PROTECT OUR
RIGHTS.
WHEN IT COMES TO
PROTECTING JOBS FOR US.
AND FOR THE MEN AND
WOMEN WHO DEFEND THEM TO
PAY TAXES, THEY GET OUT
OF IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU
THAT THE CITY WOULD NOT
GIVE ANY FM CONTRIBUTION
OR ASSIST THE INTEL
CORPORATION IN THIS
BUILDING AT ANY COST.
AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL
LIVE UP TO THE
COMMITMENTS IN THE
BUILDING.
AND I HAVE A COPY OF THE
ARTICLE HERE.
I'LL BE GLAD TO GIVE YOU
MORE ARTICLES BECAUSE
THE INTEL CORPORATION IS
IN A VERY GOOD POSITION
FINANCIALLY.
THEY'RE CREATING PLANTS
OVERSEAS AFNLTD THEY
SHOULD LIVE UP TO THEIR
COMMITMENTS HERE.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCIL, WE HAVE SOME
ATTORNEYS THAT HAVE BEEN
COOLING THEIR HEELS
WAITING FOR US TO GO
INTO EXECUTIVE.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND THE CITY ATTORNEY
HAS REQUESTED THAT WE GO
INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
TO HEAR THEIR ITEMS.
WE HAVE TWO MORE ITEMS
AND THEN THE PUBLIC
HEARING AT SIX.
SO IF WE QUIT AT THIS
TIME, WE COULD GO INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO
DISCUSS ITEMS 2, 3 AND
4.
OKAY.
SO WE'LL BE BACK HERE
FOR THE SIX OAK TIME
CERTAIN AND THE ACTION
ON ITEMS 34 AND 38.
NOW, I THEREFORE, GUS GARCIA,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN,
TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM,
AZENE ANJOAN AS MAYOR FOR DAY IN
AUSTIN.
SET MY HAND ACROSS THE SEAL OF
THE GREAT CITY OF ON TO BE
AFFIXED THIS GREAT DAY OF MAY OF
2002, SIGNED BY ME, HERE YOU GO,
YOU CAN GIVE THAT BACK TO YOUR
MOTHER AND DO THE REST OF THE
WORK.
GIVE IT TO YOUR FATHER.
NOW, THIS IS HOW TO INTRODUCE
THE MUSIC THAT IS GOING TO PLAY
TODAY, OKAY?
SO YOU CAN READ IT AND I'LL
PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION.
GO AHEAD AND READ IT.
HERE IS THE MIC.
RAZING JERICHO IS ONE OF
AUSTIN'S NEWEST CHRISTIAN BAND,
A UNIQUE SOUND COMBINED WITH THE
[(music) MUSIC PLAYING (music)] INSTRUMENTS
OF DAVE MATTHEWS, THE CHARLIE
DANIELS BAND, IN HOPES OF
REACHING A WIDE VARIETY OF
AUDIENCES, THE NAME RAISING
JERICHO DRAWS ON THE OLD
TESTAMENT BOOK OF JOSHUA IN
WHICH THE ISRAELITES DESTROYED
THE CITY OF JERICHO WITH THE
SOUNDS OF TRUMPETS AND CHANTING.
BAND MEMBERS CHRIS PABLO, JAMES,
RAUL MARTINEZ, AND MIKE
GREENWALD WILL..... TRUST THE MUSIC WILL
ALSO BRING DOWN THE WALLS THAT
HELP SEVER GOD.
SO PLEASE HELP ME IN WELCOMING
RAISING JERICHO.
[ APPLAUSE ]
[(music) MUSIC PLAYING (music)] [SINGING]
[SINGING]
[(music) MUSIC PLAYING (music)]
[ APPLAUSE ]
Mayor Garcia: WE HAVE A
PROCLAMATION FOR THAT YOU THAT
READS AS FOLLOWS, BE IT KNOWN
WHEREAS THE LOCAL MUSIC
COMMUNITY MAKE MANY
CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD THE
DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTIN'S SOCIAL,
ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY,
AND WHEREAS THE DEDICATED
EFFORTS OF OUR BROTHER AUSTIN
STATUS AS THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITOL
OF THE WORLD, I THEREFORE GUS
GARCIA MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
AUSTIN TEXAS DO HERE BY PROCLAIM
MAY THE 9TH, 2002, AS RAISING
JERICHO DAY IN AUSTIN.
WELCOME THEM.
[ APPLAUSE ]
[ APPLAUSE ]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
HAVING US HERE, IT'S AN HONOR.
WE ARE PLAYING SATURDAY, MAY
25TH, AT THE BACK ROOM AND ON
THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY, THE 27TH
OF MAY, AND BOTH OF THOSE SHOWS
ARE 9:00 AND CHECK OUT OUR WEB
SITE FOR FUTURE SHOWS, IT'S
www.raisingJERICHO.COM, THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
MAYOR, POINT OF PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE.
Mayor Garcia: OKAY.
YES.
BEFORE WE BREAK FOR A
PROCLAMATION, MAY I CALL ON
SOMEONE TO MAKE A SPECIAL
PRESENTATION TO ONE OF OUR
COUNCILMEMBERS?
Mayor Garcia: YES, MAYOR, WE
MAY.
1, 2, 1, 2, UH-HUH.
UH-HUH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, A TEXAS
POETRY PROCLAMATION.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY
IN HONOR OF THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS
OCCASION, IF IT PLEASES BOTH
HITHER AND YOND I OFFER UP THE
PROCLAMATION IN THE MANNER, BE
IT P KNOWN BY ALL PRESENT AND
THEIR SEVERAL CHARGES THROUGHOUT
THE UNIVERSITY, THE HUDDLED
MASS, TO ALL THE SHIPS AT SEA
THIS DATE IN HISTORY IS ONE OF
PARTICULAR HONOR AND LAW, THAT
IN FACT UPON SAID DATE SOME
NUMBER OF YEARS AGO DID OCCUR
THE WEDDING OF ONE PARTICULAR
INDIVIDUAL WHOM WE ARRIVED TODAY
IN THIS PLACE NOT TO BURY BUT TO
PRAISE ERGO LET US NAME THIS DAY
AND HERETOFORE LET US BE KNOWN
AND RETT ACTIVELY KNOWN IN THE
ANALS OF TIME THAT THIS DAY DATE
NOW AND FOREVER SHALL BE
RECOGNIZED IN POPULARITY AND IN
SONG AND REFERENCE AND IN
MATTERS BOTH SUB LIME, AND KNOWN
AS WILL WYNN'S TENTH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY.
MY NAME IS MATTHEW JOHN
CONNELLY AND THIS IS MIKE AND WE
ARE HERE TO WISH WILL A HAPPY
ANNIVERSARY.
AUSTIN CLAIM IS FUNDED IN
PART BY A GRANT FROM THE
WRITER'S LEAGUE OF TEXAS, THE
CITY OF AUSTIN UNDER THE
AUSPICES OF THE AUSTIN ARTS
COMMISSION.
RIGHT.
ANYWAY, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH,
WILL, WE ARE HERE BECAUSE YOUR
WIFE SENT US.
SINCE YOU HAVE TO WORK ON YOUR
TENTH ANNIVERSARY AND SHE
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE —
POETRY GRAM FOR MR. WILL
WYNN.
ANYWAY, HERE GOES FROM ANN
ELIZABETH TO YOU.
THIS IS ABOUT LOVE, ROOMY SAYS
ANYONE WHO SEES YOU AND DOES NOT
LAUGH OUT LOUD OR FALL SILENT OR
EXPLODE INTO PIECES IS NOTHING
BUT THE CEMENT AND STONE OF HIS
OWN PRISON.
IT'S ABOUT LOVE.
AND MOMENTS WHEN WE LISTEN TO
OLD SONGS WITH THE LIGHTS OFF,
HOLD HANDS LIKE CHILDREN AND
SPEAK IN QUIET VOICES, WHEN LOVE
IS DISTILLED IN THE AIR AROUND
US, PROFESSING EVERYTHING.
IT'S ABOUT LOVE.
WHITMAN SAYS THE EXPRESSION OF A
WELL MADE MAN APPEARS NOT ONLY
IN HIS FACE, IT IS IN HIS LIMBS
AND JOINTS L. IT'S IN HIS WALK,
THE CARRIAGE OF HIS NECK, TO SEE
HIM PAST CONVEYS AS MUCH AS THE
BEST POEM, PERHAPS MOORE.
IT'S ABOUT LOVE.
RELATIONSHIP, NUMBER 726.
I REMEMBER WHEN I REALIZED SHE'S
IN CHARGE.
THINGS GOT EASIER.
[LAUGHTER] IT'S ABOUT LOVE.
THERE ONCE WAS A COUNCILMAN FROM
NANTUCKET.
NO, NO, NO, NOT THAT ONE.
OH, WAIT A MINUTE.
IT'S ABOUT LOVE.
WE GO TO BED TO FIND SLEEP, IN
THE HILL, THE VALLEY, THE COOLS,
IN THE STILLS OF THE ROOM AS
HOLY GATHERING AROUND THE GRAVE,
BODIES LONG BURNED AWAY, LOVERS
SLEEP IS MOON SHINER'S SLEEP,
OLD AND DANCING AND DREAMLESS.
IT'S ABOUT LOVE.
THE POET SAYS LIKE SO MANY OTHER
THINGS PEOPLE HAVE ALSO
MISUNDERSTOOD THE POSITION LOVE
HAS IN LIFE.
THEY HAVE MADE IT INTO PLAY AND
PLEASURE BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT
THAT PLAY AND PLEASURE WERE MORE
BLIFTFUL THAN WORK.
PRECISELY BECAUSE IT IS
HAPPINESS, CAN BE NOTHING OTHER
THAN WORK, THOSE WHO LOVE MUST
TRY TO ACT IF THEY HAD A GREAT
WORK TO ACCOMPLISH, THEY MUST BE
MUCH ALONE AND GO INTO
THEMSELVES AND GATHER AND
CONCENTRATE THEMSELVES.
THEY MUST WORK, THEY MUST
BECOME SOMETHING FOR THE MORE WE
ARE, THE RICHER EVERYTHING WE
EXPERIENCE IS.
AND THOSE WHO WANT TO HAVE A
DEEP LOVE IN THEIR LIVES MUST
COLLECT AND SAVE FOR IT AND
GATHER HONEY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
WILL AND ANN ELIZABETH.
WE NOW RETURN YOU TO YOUR
REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL
PROCEEDINGS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
SO IS SHE HERE OR... THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE
AUSTIN POETRY GRAM MIKE HENLEY
AND MATTHEW JOHN CONLEY.
[ APPLAUSE ]
(INAUDIBLE) WAS HERE AND WENT
HOME?
THIS IS OUR TENTH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY.
I WANT TO THANK MAYOR GARCIA AND
I WOULD — SINCE WE HAD A CITY
ELECTION LAST WEEK WE CANCELLED
LAST THURSDAY INSTEAD, I'M
WORKING ON THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY
AND WILL BE HOME BEFORE TOO LATE
TO WANT AND I WANT TO TELL YOU I
HAVE THE GREATEST BEST FRIEND,
PARTNER AND WIFE IN THE WORLD,
SHE'S BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME.
SHE INTRODUCED ME TO THESE GUYS,
AMONG OTHER THINGS.
[LAUGHTER].
AND I LOVE HER VERY MUCH.
AND WHAT'S FUNNY IS WE DON'T GET
CABLE AT HOME SO SHE'S NOT
WATCHING SO I GUESS SHE'LL GET A
TAPE OF THIS OR SOMETHING.
IT'S BEEN 10 GREAT YEARS,
ACTUALLY 12 TOGETHER, AND MANY
MORE TO COME, TO THANK YOU ALL
FOR PUTTING UP WITH THIS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
THIS PROCLAMATION IS — READS AS
FOLLOWS: WHEREAS ELECTRICITY IS
AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR EVERYDAY
LIVES, AND MUST NOT TAKE IT
FOR — WE MUST NOT TAKE IT FOR
GRANTED, IT CAN BE A FRIEND OR A
FOE, AND WHEREAS WE SHOULD
FOLLOW BASIC PRECAUTIONS
REGARDING ELECTRICITY INCLUDING
SAFETY CHECKS OF OUR HOMES,
SCHOOL, AND WORKPLACES FOR
ELECTRIC HAZARDS, AND WHEREAS
AUSTIN ENERGY, OUR
COMMUNITY-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITY
IS PROMOTING ELECTRICAL SAFETY
AWARENESS THROUGH SAFETY
DEMONSTRATIONS AT SCHOOLS AND
VIA ADVERTISEMENTS IN MOVIE
THEATERS AND NEWSPAPER, I
THEREFORE, GUS GARCIA, MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO
HEREBY PROCLAIM...
MAY 2002 AS ELECTRIC SAFETY
AWARENESS MONTH IN AUSTIN.
Mayor Garcia: OKAY.
WHO IS GOING TO RECEIVE THIS?
JUAN GARZA?
WELL, MAYOR, ESSENTIALLY WE
LOOK FOR WAYS TO UNDERSCORE THE
IMPORTANCE OF THE CITY TO OUR
COUNTRY.
TRULY, IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT
ANY — ANYTHING THAT WE'VE DONE
THE LAST 100 YEAR, THE
INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY TO
OUR LIVES AS POTENTIALLY
TRANSFORMED THE ENTIRE WORLD, SO
THAT IS BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE
DOING HERE.
WHAT CAN I SAY TO THE CHILDREN,
MAYOR?
BE CAREFUL.
IT IS THE MOST WONDERFUL THING
THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE.
AND IN THE FUTURE IT'S GOING TO
BE EACH MORE WONDROUS BUT IT'S
ALSO VERY DANGEROUS, SO WHEN IT
COMES TO ELECTRICITY, YOU NEVER,
EVER, EVER TOUCH ANY EXPOSED
WORRIES, YOU NEVER, EVER, EVER,
TOUCH YOUR HAND TO ANY EXPOSED
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS, WHATEVER,
NEVER POKE ANYTHING IN THERE, BE
VERY, VERY CAREFUL WITH
ELECTRICITY AND IT CAN DO
WONDERS FOR YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
PETER, IF YOU COULD COME UP,
I THINK YOU HAVE A FEW OF YOUR
STAFF MEMBERS HERE, IS THAT
CORRECT?
YOU GUYS COME UP, THOSE OF YOU
FROM PUBLIC WORKS.
YOU CAN STAND BEHIND YOUR GREAT
LEADER.
THIS PROCLAMATION READS AS
FOLLOWS: BE IT KNOWN THAT
WHEREAS AUSTIN ENERGY THE
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND
RECREATION, PUBLIC WORKS, SOLID
WASTE SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION
AND PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION
PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY,
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW, AND THE
WATER AND WASTE WATER PROVIDE
INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS PUBLIC
WORKS, AND WHEREAS WE RECOGNIZE
THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS OF
OUR EMPLOYEES IN THIS DEPARTMENT
TOWARD MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING
THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR
COMMUNITY, NOW, THEREFORE, I GUS
GARCIA, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
AUSTIN, TEXAS, DO HEREBY
PROCLAIM MAY THE 19TH THROUGH
THE 25TH 2002, AS...
NATIONAL PUBLIC WORK WEEK IN
AUSTIN.
Mayor Garcia: OKAY.
WE PRESENT THIS TO THE DIRECTOR
OF PUBLIC WORKS MR. PETER RIGGS.
CONGRATULATIONS.
IF YOU MAY HOLD THIS
PROCLAMATION FOR ONE MINUTE, I
COULD MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS
AND GET THESE FOLKS INVOLVED.
MAYOR GARCIA, MAYOR AJOAN,
PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU HERE.
WE ARE NOT JUST THE DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC WORKS.
IT'S A LOT OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS,
AUSTIN ENERGY WATER SHED, THE
WATER AND WASTE WATER FACILITY,
IT INCHOWDS FLEET SERVICES, IT
INCLUDES BUILDING SERVICES AND
MANY OTHERS, AND THOSE ARE THE
DEPARTMENTS OF THE SERVICES OF
CITIZENS 24 HOURS A DAY, 365
THEYS A YEAR.
WHILE THEY ARE FACELESS TO MOST
WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BRING A
NUMBER OF FACES, WHAT THEY
REPRESENT IS A GREAT
COOPERATION, AND THE COOPERATION
WAS DISPLAYED IN NOVEMBER OF
LAST YEAR WHEN A NUMBER OF THESE
DEPARTMENT WORKED VERY HARD TO
HELP AUSTIN RECOVER FROM THE
EFFECT OF THE 15TH NOVEMBER
FLOOD, SO IN ORDER TO HONOR
THOSE FIRST OF ALL, TODAY WHO
PARTICIPATE IN THOSE KIND OF
EFFORTS, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK
DANNY LOPEZ FROM WATER SHED
PROTECTION AND REVIEW TO ACCEPT
THE PROCLAMATION FROM MAYOR
GARCIA.
DANNY?
TAKE A PICTURE?
THANK YOU, MAYOR GARCIA,
PETER REED, ON BEHALF OF THE
WATER SHED PROTECTION AND ALL
THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED
IN THE EFFORT OF THE MASSIVE
CLEANUP THAT TOOK PLACE AFTER
THE STORM OF NOVEMBER 15TH, WE
ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION AND WE
THANK YOU FOR IT AND WE ARE OUT
THERE ERNESTLY TRYING TO RESPOND
EVERY TIME THERE IS AN EMERGENCY
AND THIS WAS A GREAT EFFORT
BETWEEN ALL THE DEPARTMENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[ APPLAUSE ]
MAYOR, IF YOU WOULD BEAR WITH
US FOR A FEW MORE MINUTE, WE
WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALL OF THE
NAWD.....(INAUDIBLE) TO BRIEFLY STEP UP
TO THE MICROPHONE, THE
DEPARTMENT THEY WORK FOR AND
THEIR POSITION WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT.
I'M LARRY WAGNER, DRAINAGE
SUPERVISOR ONE, WORK FOR WATER
SHED DEVELOPMENT REVIEW FIELD
OPERATIONS.
I'M FIDEL PEREZ, I WORK FOR
WATER SHED PROTECTION
DEPARTMENT, I'M A SUPERVISOR OF
FIELD OPERATIONS.
THANK YOU.
STEPHANIE PEPPER, I WORK FOR
PARK AND ENFORCEMENT, I WRITE
PARKING TICKETS.
KATY LOPEZ AND I WORK FOR
PARK ENFORCEMENT AS WELL,
PARKING TICKETS.
MY NAME IS KEF VEN BARKER, I
WORK WATER, WASTE WATER.
MY TITLE IS UTILITY TECHNICIAN
ASSOCIATE.
ED BODET, I'M A TECHNICIAN
AND TRANSPORTATION DIVISION.
GEORGE FISHER WITH THE WATER,
WASTE WATER DEPARTMENT METERING
SECTION.
HELLO, MY NAME IS DAVID
WORTHY, I'M WITH THE WATER
METERING SECTION, I'M ASSISTANT
SUPERVISOR.
THANK YOU.
HELLO, MY NAME IS ANTHONY AFL
RAD DOUGH W. THE TRANSPORTATION
PLANNING STABILITY DEPARTMENT.
I'M A TECH.
I'M GARY JACKSON, WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT DIVISION AND
I'M A PROJECT MANAGER.
HELLO, I'M (INAUDIBLE) I'M
WITH THE TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION, THE ACTING SUPERVISOR
FOR THE SIGNS AND MARKING
SECTION AND I'M AN ENGINEER.
GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS
HAROLD SMITH, I'M WITH THE WATER
AND WASTE WATER UTILITY
REHABILITATION CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES AND I DO PROJECT
COORDINATION.
MR. RODRIGUEZ WITH THE CITY
OF AUSTIN WATER, WASTE WATER
CONSTRUCTION REHAB.
UPERVISOR.
MY NAME IS RANDY POREN, I'M
IN THE WATER AND WASTE WATER
UTILITY.
MY NAME IS ANDREW GLOCK, I'M
THE SOLID WASTE GARBAGE.
I'M WITH THE SOLID WASTE
SERVICE.
I DRIVE A STREET SWEEPER.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR
STEPPING FORWARD.
I THINK IT SHOWS THE DIVERSITY
AND THE — THE DIVERSITY OF
FUNCTIONS AND THE DIVERSITY IN
OUR WORKFORCE IN GENERAL.
THERE'S A LOT OF US WHO CAN'T BE
HERE TODAY BUT I THINK YOU
REPRESENTED EVERYBODY VERY WELL.
THANK YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
MAYOR — BOTH MAYORS, WITH THAT,
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE
RICHARD RIDINGS.
HE'S A FORMER DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
WORKS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, HEE
IS THIS YEAR THE PRESIDENT OF
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS
ASSOCIATION WHO REPRESENTS ALL
OF US NATIONWIDE AND I WOULD
LIKE RICHARD TO PRESENT THIS TO
YOU AND SAY A FEW WORDS.
MAYOR, AND PUBLIC WORKERS ALL
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THIS IS THE
FIRST PROCLAMATION THAT WE ARE
DOING IN THE UNITED STATES THIS
YEAR AND IT'S CERTAINLY
APPROPRIATE I THINK THAT IT'S
DONE IN MY HOME TOWN OF WHICH
I'M PROUD.
AND THIS WEEK WE TALK IN OUR
MAGAZINE ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS AND
THE EVERY DAY HEROES AND THOSE
EVERY DAY HERO, SOME OF THEM ARE
SITTING HERE, STANDING HERE
TODAY, REPRESENTING PUBLIC
WORKERS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY
WHO ARE CITY MANAGERS, MAYORS,
CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO
ARE COMMITTED TO THEIR
COMMUNITIES AND SERVE THEM EVERY
DAY, AND WE ARE HERE TO SAY,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND PRESENT
YOU WITH THIS YEAR'S ARTIST
RENDITION AND IT READS NEVER
BELIEVE THAT A FEW CARING PEOPLE
CAN'T CHANGE THE WORLD FOR
INDEED THAT'S ALL WHOEVER HAVE.
EVERY DAY HEROES, NATIONAL
PUBLIC WORKS WEEK COMMITTED TO
OUR COMMUNITY, AND AGAIN, MAYOR,
THIS IS FOR YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
MAYOR?
YOU'RE WELCOME, MAYOR, AND
EVEN AT THE DANGER OF WEARING
OUT MY WELCOME, WE HAVE ONE
OTHER BRIEF PRESENTATION TO
COUNCIL TO SHOW ONE OF THE
SUCCESSES THAT PUBLIC WORKS AND
THIS IS AGAIN — THIS IS THE
WATER SHED PROTECTION,
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS
HAVE IN WORKING TOGETHER AND I
WOULD LIKE TO ASK (INAUDIBLE) TO
COME FORWARD AND MAKE A
PRESENTATION TO YOU ON BEHALF OF
ALL OF US TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND YOU THE MAYOR.
OKAY.
I'M THE PROJECT MANAGER IN
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
TODAY I HAVE A PLEASURE TO
PROVIDE THIS BLACK THAT WE'VE
RECEIVED FROM AMERICAN COUNCIL
OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
MAYOR GARCIA, AND MAYOR AJOAN,
THIS (INAUDIBLE) AFTER MANY
TURBULENT TIMES HAVE RECEIVED
MANY AWARDS ONE FROM THE
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING
COMPANIES, TEXAS COUNCIL OF
ENGINEERING COMPANIES, AGC WHICH
IS THE AMERICAN GENERAL
CONTRACTORS AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND
WE WERE LAST YEAR THE BEST OF —
THE BEST BRIDGE OVER THE
TURBULENT WATERS FROM AUSTIN.
BUT THIS IS A SPECIAL GIFT WHICH
WE HAVE PRESENT — IT SAYS
PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN
FOR FOSTERING EXCELLENCE IN
ENGINEERING DESIGN ON THE
PROJECT (INAUDIBLE) DESIGNED BY
HDR, ENGINEERING, INC., MARCH
12TH 2002, SO ON BEHALF OF ALL
OF THOSE WHO WORKED FOR THE CITY
OF AUSTIN AND THE DESIGN TEAM, I
PRESENT THIS TO YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH ALL OF
YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK
THAT WAS DONE ON THE 15TH,
FOLLOWING THAT STORM, WE HAVE A
DELIGATION HERE FROM CHINA
EARLIER, AND THEIR COMMENT TO US
IS THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL CITY.
SO IT MUST BE KEPT THAT WAY BY
THE PEOPLE THAT WORK TO KEEP IT
THAT WAY, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR THE TWO GIFTS THAT
YOU GAVE US AND WE WILL DISPLAY
THEM PROMINENTLY IN OUR OFFICES.
THANK YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
Mayor Garcia: UH-HUH, I KNOW
JIM FROM WAY BACK.
WE NEED BOTH MAYORS HERE.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
[LAUGHTER] OKAY.
THIS PROCLAMATION READS AS
FOLLOWS: BE IT KNOWN THAT
WHEREAS IT IS IMPORTANT TO
CELEBRATE THE ROLE OF HISTORY IN
OUR LIVES AND TO PRESERVE
TANGIBLE ASPECTS OF THE HERITAGE
THAT HAS SHAPED US AS A PEOPLE
AND AS A COMMUNITY, AND WHEREAS
PRESERVING THE SPIRIT OF PLACE
IS A THEME FOR THIS SPECIAL WEEK
SPONSORED BY THE AUSTIN
CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU,
THE HISTORIC LAND MARK DIVISION,
AND THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR
HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND
WHEREAS WE ENCOURAGE AUSTINITES
TO RECOGNIZE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK
DILIGENTLY TO PRESERVE HISTORY
AND HISTORICAL PLACES AND TO
TAKE PART IN OBSERVANCE
SCHEDULED DURING THIS WEEK, I
THEREFORE I GUS GARCIA MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEXAS DO
HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY THE 12TH
THROUGH THE 18TH AS NATIONAL
HISTORIC PRESERVATION WEEK IN
AUSTIN AND MAYOR, CAN YOU
PRESENT THIS TO MR. FOWLER?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE HAVE MANY HISTORIC AND
WONDERFUL BUILDINGS.
OUR ARCHITECTURE IN AUSTIN IS
VERY EXCITING AND PRETTY SOON WE
ARE GOING TO HAVE THE ANNUAL
HOMES TOUR SPONSORED BY THE
HERITAGE SOCIETY AND WE HOPE ALL
OF YOU WILL JOIN IN TOURING
THOSE HOUSES, WE HAVE SOME
FANTASTIC BUILDINGS HERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE MAYOR
REMEMBERS IT, BUT A NUMBER OF
YEARS AGO WHEN HE WAS ON THE
COUNCIL I WENT TO HEM TO SAY CAN
YOU HELP US MARK A BUILDING IN
TOWN, SPECTACULAR BUILDING.
I THINK HE CALLED ME IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT FROM HIS
CELL PHONE ACROSS THE STREET ON
THE GREEN AND WHITE GROCERY
SIDEWALK ASKING ME DID HE HAVE
THE RIGHT BUILDING IN MIND.
IT WAS INDEED AND DELIGHTEDLY
ENOUGH WE MARKED THAT BUILDING
THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
A SPECTACULAR BUILDING.
YOU'LL SEE ON THE HERITAGE TOUR.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
OH, ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT, TOO?
OH, WELL, THERE'S MORE TO BE
SAID.
Mayor Garcia: I GUESS YOU'RE
GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE EAST
AUSTIN TOUR?
YES.
IN THE NAME OF THE STAFF, I WANT
TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
INVITE ALL CITIZENS OF AUSTIN TO
CROSS I 35 TO GO TO EAST AUSTIN.
WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE OF THE
NUMBER OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN
THE EAST SIDE FROM CHURCHES FROM
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS TO HOUSES.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN
THE HISTORY THAT THE HERITAGE
SOCIETY WILL SHOW CASE THE
CULTURE OF THE STRUCTURES OF THE
EAST SIDE.
WE'RE HUMBLE AND EXCITED WITH
THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE WANT TO THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS
AND STAFF, AND HONOR MAYOR
GARCIA FOR THIS SUPPORT.
CAN I DO IT IN SPANISH?
[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]
[ APPLAUSE ]
Mayor Garcia: I THINK ALL OF
YOU SAW THE ARTICLE IN THE PAPER
WEST MEETS EAST, AND LET ME TELL
YOU ONE THING, THERE'S SOME
BEAUTIFUL HISTORICAL HOMES AND
BUILDINGS EAST OF I 35, IT WOULD
BE WORTH YOUR TIME TO SPEND SOME
TIME, THAT'S FROM 10:00 UNTIL
6:00 ON SATURDAY AND WHERE CAN
THEY MEET TO START THE TOUR.
ANY LOCATION YOU START FROM
THERE, YOU CAN JUST GO BY
WHEREVER THEY'RE SELLING A
TICKET AND START FROM THAT
POINT.
Mayor Garcia: OKAY.
IS THERE ONE THAT... GUADALUPE
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WHERE
THE GUADALUPE CHURCH IS, THAT
WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO START.
DON'T TRY TO GO ON ELEVENTH
STREET BECAUSE THAT'S BEING —
THAT'S BEING RECONSTRUCTED AS WE
SPEAK AND, PETER, I THINK THAT
YOU'RE UNDER — YOUR DEPARTMENT
IS SUPERVISING THE
RECONSTRUCTION OF ELEVENTH
STREET; RIGHT?
(INAUDIBLE)
Mayor Garcia: OKAY.
VERY GOOD.
WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
BEING HERE.
MAYOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND
GOOD LUCK TO YOU IN SCHOOL.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET STRAIGHT
A'S?
IS THAT IT?
OKAY.
LET'S GIVE HER A BIG HAND.
[ APPLAUSE ]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
GO MEET YOUR PARENTS AND TAKE
SOME PICTURES.
..
..
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[NO AUDIO - MIC NOT ON] CITY OF
AUSTIN...............
- MIC NOT ON]
[NO AUDIO - MIC NOT ON]
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Mayor Garcia: THERE BEING A
QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL IN THE
CHAMBERS I'M GOING CALL BACK THE
MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY
COUNCIL.
IT'S ABOUT 6:38 AND WE ARE GOING
TO GO TO OUR 6:00 TIME CERTAIN.
IT'S PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE
ACTION AND THE ITEM READS AS
FOLLOWS CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING
AND APPROVE AN ORDINANCE
ADOPTING THE SEAHOLM DISTRICT
MASTER PLAN WHICH COVERS AN AREA
GENERALLY BOUNDED BY FIFTH
STREET ON THE NORTH, SAN ANTONIO
STREET ON THE EAST, TOWN LAKE ON
THE SOUTH, AND/OR CHARRED AVENUE
ON THE WEST.
AND IN PARENTHESES SAYS TO
IMPLEMENT ALL 10 PROJECTS IN THE
SEAHOLM MASTER PLAN IT IS
ESTIMATED THAT THE PUBLIC
INVESTMENT WOULD BE
35.4 MILLION, 5.4 MILLION FROM
THE CITY, 6.0 MILLION FROM THE
2002 CAPITOL METRO
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, ONE
QUARTER CENT FUNDING,
10.8 MILLION FROM OTHER CAPITOL
INVESTMENT, AND 13.2 MILLION IN
FEDERAL GRANTS.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT PRIVATE
SECTOR INVESTMENT WOULD BE
ABOUT — WOULD BE $65 MILLION.
THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT
IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING IS AS
FOLLOWS: THE COUNCIL WILL BE
REQUESTED TO APPROVE EACH
PROJECT, SO IF WE DO ANYTHING
TODAY, WE WILL NOT BE APPROVING
THE FUNDING FOR ANY PROJECT, WE
WILL BE CONSIDERING THE APPROVAL
OF THE SEAHOLM DISTRICT MASTER
PLAN.
MR. ALIBRA.
THANK YOU, MAYOR.
Mayor Garcia: WELCOME SEE.
MY NAME IS AUSTIN LEE, I'M
DIRECTOR OF THE TRANSPORTATION
SUSTAINING DEPARTMENT.
I BELIEVE WE WERE REQUESTED BY
COUNCIL AFTER YESTERDAY'S
PRESENTATION AND WORK SESSION TO
GIVE YOU ANOTHER SHORTENED
VERSION OF THE PRESENTATION THAT
WE MADE THEN TO SIMPLY GO OVER
AND HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE ISSUES
THAT WERE TALKED ABOUT
YESTERDAY, AND I WANT TO
UNDERSCORE WHAT YOU'VE JUST
SAID, MAYOR, THAT THIS IS A
REQUEST OF THE STAFF TO THE
COUNCIL TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO
AMEND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF
THE CITY, THE LIST OF SPECIFIC
PROJECTS THAT WE'VE HANDED OUT
AND TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY ARE
THINGS THAT WE WOULD WANT TO DO
BASED ON THIS MASTER PLAN AND
WE'VE LISTED FOR YOU WHERE WE
THINK — HOW WE WOULD DO THEM
AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS WE
POSSIBLY COULD FUND THEM BUT WE
ARE NOT SAYING THAT — THAT
YOU'RE ADOPTING THOSE AND AT
THIS POINT IN TIME, NOT ASKING
FOR YOU TO ADOPT THOSE AT THIS
POINT, SIMPLY TO ADOPT THE PLAN
WHICH WOULD THEN ALLOW US TO
BRING FORWARD TO YOU ONE AT A
TIME EACH OF THOSE AS WE DID THE
ENGINEERING WORK AND WE ARE
READY TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL TO
MOVE FORWARD WITH EACH OF THOSE
PROJECTS BASED ON THE PLAN.
SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO
AGAIN ASK OUR TWO CONSULTANTS
WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS,
SHERRY WAGNER AND JIM ADAMS TO
GIVE YOU A SHORT BRIEF OVERVIEW
OF WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED WITH
THIS PLAN.
THANK YOU.
MR. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL
MEMBER, IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE
HERE.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE
PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE A
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO GO OUT
TO SEEK DEVELOPMENT AND
PARTNERSHIPS TO WORK ON
DEVELOPING THE SEAHOLM BUILDING,
AND AS TO A PUBLIC ATTRACTION A
PUBLIC ATTRACTION WILL REQUIRE
QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF
VISITATION TO SUSTAIN FINANCIAL
SUSTAINABILITY.
WE NEEDED CERTAIN INFORMATION TO
BE AVAILABLE FOR US TO BE ABLE
TO GO OUT AND SEEK THAT KIND OF
RESPONSE AND IF YOU'LL NOTICE ON
THE SIDE HERE, THAT SITE IS VERY
CONSTRAINED.
AND THERE IS NO ACCESS.
THERE'S NO ROAD OR ACCESS TO THE
SITE FOR PEDESTRIANS, FOR
BICYCLES, FOR PUBLIC CARS, FOR
PARKING, FOR SCHOOL BUSES OR
TOUR BUS, THE FIRST QUESTION WE
WANTED TO POSE TO THE PLANNING
DEPARTMENT IS WHAT ACCESS TO THE
SITE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL
OF THESE BECAUSE THESE WILL BE
NECESSARY IN ORDER TO HAVE
VISITORSHIP TO HAVE
SUSTAINABILITY OF ANY PUBLIC AT
TRACTION, AND THE SECOND
QUESTION THAT WE POSE TO THEM IS
WHAT IS THE VISION AND THE
THINKING FOR IS SURROUNDING
NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT SYNERGIES
MIGHT BE POSSIBLE WHEN YOU TRY
TO PUT A MAJOR AT TRACTION INTO
AN AREA, YOU HAVE TO DETERMINE
IF IT'S A STAND-ALONE
ATTRACTION.
THERE'S MUCH GREATER PRESSURE
THAN IF IT'S ABLE TO CONNECT
WITH AND BE CONNECTED WITH THE
REST OF THE AREA AND THE
DOWNTOWN.
WE ASK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO BE
HAPPENING AROUND IT SO THAT WE
CAN TELL POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS
THIS IS WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES
ARE FOR SYNERGISTIC ENERGY AND
TO MAKE A WHOLE FOR THE PARK.
THE THIRD QUESTION TO THE
PLANNERS IS WHAT ARE THE
POSSIBILITIES FOR EXPANSION OF
SEAHOLM OVER TIME.
YOU NOTICE THAT IT IS SO THE
SITE HAS ONLY THE EXISTING
BUILDING AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE A MAJOR ATTRACTION, YOU
MUST HAVE A CHANCE TO CHANGE AND
TO EXPAND AND TO BRING IN NEW
THINGS OVER TIME OR YOU WILL NOT
BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE
INSTITUTIONAL VIABILITY AND THE
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, SO WE
WERE LOOKING AT WHERE COULD WE
POSSIBLY HAVE ROOM TO EXPAND TO
INCREASE THE POSSIBILITIES OF
THINGS OVER TIME AND ESPECIALLY
INCLUDING PARKING.
SO WE POST THOSE QUESTIONS AND
AS A RESULT OF THOSE QUESTIONS,
THEN THE CONSULTANTS TOOK THOSE
INTO CONSIDERATION IN PREPARING
THEIR PLAN AND I'LL NOW LET JIM
ADAMS TALK ABOUT THAT PLAN.
MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, AS
SHERRY SAID, ONE OF THE MOST
CRITICAL FACTORS IN MAKING
SEAHOLM A SUCCESS AS A PUBLIC
ATTRACTION IS TO MAKE SURE THAT
IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF A
VIBRANT AND INTERCONNECTED
DOWNTOWN AND THE VISION THAT HAS
REALLY EVOLVED FOR THE PLAN HAS
COME OUT OF NOT ONLY THIS
PROCESS BUT THE PREVIOUS SEAHOLM
REUSE PLANNING COMMITTEE IS THAT
OF A MIXED USE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT
BUILDS ON THE CHARACTER THAT IS
OUT THERE TODAY, THE KIND OF
INDUSTRIAL AND THE WAREHOUSE
CHARACTER, BUILDS ON THE ASSET
OF THE SEAHOLM AS A HISTORIC
BUILDING AND ALSO OF THE OPEN
SPACE CHARACTER AND SETTING OF
TOWN LAKE.
THE IDEA OF CONNECTING SEAHOLM
INTO THE REMAINDER OF THE
DOWNTOWN AND MAKING IT PART OF A
REAL VIBRANT DISTRICT, THE SEEDS
OF THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE
WITH MANY OF THE ACTIONS THAT
YOU'VE ALREADY TAKEN WITH THE —
WITH TOWN LAKE ALREADY THE JULY
OF DOWNTOWN AUSTIN, THE
ENHANCEMENTS YOU'RE TAKING, THE
NEW PFLUGER BRIDGE WHICH IS NOW
IN PLACE, THE EEMERGENCE OF THE
RETAIL DISTRICT IMMEDIATELY
ACROSS SCHOLL CREEK, THE
REDEVELOPMENTS THAT IS OCCURRING
RIGHT WITHIN THE SEAHOLM AREA
WITH WEST AVENUE LOST AND THE
PROPERTIES WHICH ARE PLANNING TO
PROCEED WITH THE FUTURE
MARKETPLACE DEVELOPMENT, WHAT WE
SEE HERE IS REALLY THE
BEGINNINGS OF A VERY EXCITING
NEW DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD THAT
WILL CREATE THE KIND OF SETTING
THAT WILL MAKE SEAHOLM A
SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC ATTRACTION.
THERE ARE A SERIES OF
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE PLAN —
THAT THE PLAN PROVIDES.
ONE CERTAINLY IS FOR THE
PRESERVATION AND REUSE OF THE
HISTORIC BUILDING, SEAHOLM, AND
THE PLAN TALKS VERY SPECIFICALLY
ABOUT HOW THE BUILDING SHOULD BE
MODIFIED PRESERVING THE VIEWS TO
THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING AND
THE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER OF THAT,
PROVIDING FOR A NEW ENTRANCE ON
THE WEST END OF THE BUILDING,
AND THE NEW APPROACH TO THE
BUILDING FROM LAMAR BOULEVARD
WHICH I'LL EXPLAN IN A MOMENT,
THE IDEA OF EXPANDING TO THE
NORTH ON THE EXISTING UNION
PACIFIC PROPERTY ON THE Y AREA,
AND PROVIDING A MAJOR ACTIVITY
PLAZA IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE
FIVE VERTICAL STACKS AND ON THE
EAST SIDE CREATING A PEDESTRIAN
EDGE AND A VEHICLE AR EJS, WE
RECOMMEND THAT CONSIDERATIONS BE
GIVEN FOR ITS RE: USE FOR A USE
THAT WOULD BE COMPLIMENTARY WITH
AN OPEN SPACE OF TOWN LAKE PARK
AND THERE ARE VARIOUS IDEAS FOR
THAT, ONE OF THE CONSTRAINTS
CERTAINLY IS PARKING BECAUSE
THERE IS VERY LIMITED AMOUNT OF
PARKING FOR THAT — THAT WILL
DETERMINE THE KIND OF USE THAT
MIGHT GO IN THAT STRUCTURE.
ANOTHER GOAL IS PARKING, AS
SHERRY SAID, IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT
WE HAVE SUFFICIENT PARKING FOR
THIS PUBLIC ATTRACTION, BECAUSE
AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE TO
PROMOTE TRANSIT AND PEDESTRIAN
AND BICYCLE ACCESS, MANY PEOPLE
WILL BE COMING HERE BY CAR AND
THIS WILL BE A REGIONAL
DESTINATION, THE STUDIES THAT
HAVE BEEN DONE INDICATE THAT WE
NEED TO HAVE AT LEAST 300
DEDICATED PARKING SPACES FOR
WEEK DAY USE AND FOR WEEKEND USE
AN ADDITIONAL 200 PARKING SPACES
THAT COULD BE SHARED WITH OTHER
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY.
SO THE PLAN HAS PROPOSED 125
SURFACE PARKING SPACES THAT
WOULD BE IN A CRESCENT FORM
IMMEDIATELY TO THE WEST OF
SEAHOLM AND ADJACENT TO THE
FUTURE LUMBERMEN'S SITE, THAT
MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
AND THEN THE IDEA ULTIMATELY OF
DOING 160 BASEMENT PARKING
SPACES JUST TO THE NORTH OF
SEAHOLM ON THAT VACANT LOT N THE
INTERIM IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO
DO A SURFACE PARKING LOT OF
ABOUT 300 PARKING SPACES TO THE
NORTH OF SEAHOLM.
AND THEN HAVING 15 DISABLED
PARKING SPACES IMMEDIATELY
ADJACENT TO THE PUBLIC ENTRANCE
OF THE FACILITY.
IN — IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'VE
IDENTIFIED OPPORTUNITIES FOR
SHARED PARKING ON THE WEEKENDS,
FOR SPILL OVER, THE INTEL
PARKING GARAGE WHICH WOULD BE
ACROSS SCHOLL CREEK AND ANY
COMMERCIAL OR PUBLIC PARKING
THAT IS PART OF A FUTURE
LUMBERMEN'S PROJECT WOULD ALSO
BE GOOD IF IT WERE AVAILABLE FOR
SEAHOLM AS WELL.
OPEN SPACE, AND AS I SAID
MAINTAINING AND REALLY ENHANCING
THE WHOLE CHARACTER OF THE TOWN
LAKE FRONTAGE AND THE SETTING OF
SEAHOLM IS A VERY CRITICAL
COMPONENT OF THE PLAN.
WHAT WE HAVE RECOMMENDED IS
SEVERAL THINGS THAT WOULD
ENHANCE OPEN SPACE, ONE IS THE
REALIGNMENT OF CESAR CHAVEZ TO
REALIGN IT TO OVERCOME THE VERY
DANGEROUS CURVE THAT OCCURS
UNDERNEATH THE LAMAR BRIDGE
AREA.
THIS IS A LONG-TERM VISION
CERTAINLY AND ONE THAT HAS BEEN
DISCUSSED IN ANOTHER — IN OTHER
VENUES, BUT ONE THAT WE'VE
INCORPORATED HERE THAT WOULD
EXPAND THE OPEN SPACE OF TOWN
LAKE PARK AND REALLY OFFER THE
OPPORTUNITY OF SEPARATING
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ROUTES
ALONG THAT FRONTAGE THAT ARE
BECOMING VERY CONSTRAINED.
THE OTHER OPEN SPACE
RECOMMENDATION IS TO IMPROVE THE
WHOLE FRONT OF THE SAND BEACH
PRESERVE, TO RECONFIGURE THE
RIGHT OF WAY TO OVERCOME THE
KIND OF FREEWAY RAMP
CONFIGURATION THAT CURRENTLY
EXISTS THERE, SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN
INTO A MORE CALM NETWORK OF
STREETS AND CREATE TWO LARGE
OPEN SPACES OF SCREEN AND A
MEADOW THAT COULD BE PERFORMED
IN CONJUNCTION WITH SEAHOLM.
THE AREA OF SCHOLL CREEK SOUTH
OF FIFTH STREET IS LARGELY
UNIMPROVED.
THE IDEA OF THE PLAN IS TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE HAVE CONTINUOUS
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
ALONG THAT WHOLE FRONTAGE AND
THAT WE CONNECT TOWN LAKE PARK
WITH THE UPPER REGIONS OF SCHOLL
CREEK.
THERE ARE A SERIES OF ROAD WAY
RECOMMENDATIONS, BECAUSE AS
SHERRY POINTED OUT, THE SITE AS
IT CURRENTLY EXISTS IS LARGELY
INACCESSIBLE FROM — FROM THE
ADJACENT STREET SYSTEM, AND WHEN
I — I TALK ABOUT ROAD WAYS, WE
REALLY LOOK AT THIS AS A LOCAL
NETWORK, NOT AS STREETS THAT ARE
GOING TO GENERATE TRAFFIC, BUT
LOCAL STREET, TWO LAINS AT MOST,
THAT WOULD PROVIDE GENEROUS
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES.
SEVERAL PROPOSALS: ONE IS TO —
IN ADDITION TO THE ONE I
MENTIONED OF REALIGNING CESAR
CHAVEZ AND REALIGNING SANDRA
RIGHT OF WAY, WE WOULD BE
CREATING NEW ENTRANCE TO PART OF
LAMAR AS PART OF THE RIGHT OF
WAY CONFIGURATION THAT WOULD
BRING CARS INTO THE PARKING
FACILITIES THAT I OUTLINED
EARLIER.
THE PARKING SPINE ROAD WOULD
COME UP ON THE NORTHSIDE OF A
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
LUMBERMEN'S SITE AND CROSS OVER
LAMAR AND A WIDENED BRIDGE HERE.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE
FACILITY FROM — FROM CESAR
CHAVEZ WITHOUT HAVING TO USE THE
ROAD WAY SYSTEM OVER HERE, SO IT
KIND OF PROVIDE AS BACK WAY IN.
THE EXTENSION OF WEST AVENUE
FROM THIRD STREET TO CESAR
CHAVEZ, A VERY IMPORTANT
NORTH-SOUTH LINKAGE, AGAIN, TO
PROVIDE VERY DIRECT ACCESS TO
THE PUBLIC ATTRACTION.
THE IDEA OF EXTENDING THIRD
STREET AS A LOCAL STREET FOR
TRANSIT AND CARS AND PEDESTRIANS
AND BICYCLES, AND ALSO CREATING
A VERY IMPORTANT LINKAGE TO THE
SECOND STREET DISTRICT AND THE
CIVIC COMPLEX AND THE MUSEUM OF
ART SITE WHICH IS RIGHT OVER
HERE.
SO AGAIN, CREATING THAT SYNERGY
AND THOSE LINKAGES THAT SHERRY
REFERRED TO.
BICYCLE LINKAGES ARE EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT AND THIS SITE IS AT
THE CROSSROADS OF A LOT OF
REGIONAL BICYCLE FACILITIES.
IT IS, AS YOU KNOW, WHERE THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE CONNECTS TO CESAR
CHAVEZ, IT'S WHERE THE EXISTS
TOWN LAKE BIKEWAY COMES THROUGH.
IT'S WHERE THE PLANNED LANCE
ARMSTRONG BIKEWAY WILL COME
THROUGH.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF EXISTING
AND PLANNED FACILITIES TO COME
THROUGH HERE.
WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO IS
CREATED A ADDITIONAL BIKE
CONNECTIONS THAT WOULD LINK
THOSE PLANNED AND EXISTING
FACILITIES.
ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES WAS HOW DO
WE COMPLETE THE PFLUGER BRIDGE
AND THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS
PROPOSALS OF FLY OVERS ON CESAR
CHAVEZ ON THE WEST AND EAST.
I THINK MORE STUDY IS REQUIRED
TO LOOK AT THIS, BUT WHAT THE
PLAN IS RECOMMENDING AS A
PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO DO A —
TO AVOID THE BRIDGE STRUCTURES
THAT CROSS OVER AND BLOCK VIEWS
OF SEAHOLM AND INTERRUPT THE
OPEN SPACE BUT TO DO A RAMP THAT
WOULD COME DOWN AND FLOW
UNDERNEATH CESAR CHAVEZ IN A
VERY WIDE AND OPEN TUNNEL THAT
IS PART OF THE OPEN SPACE
DESIGN, AND THAT WE NEED TO
STUDY.
THERE WAS A QUESTION YESTERDAY
FROM COUNCIL AS TO WHETHER THAT
COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT THE
REALIGNMENT OF CESAR CHAVEZ AND
I'M TOLD THAT THERE IS A
POSSIBILITY THAT THAT COULD
HAPPEN EVEN INDEPENDENT OF THE
REALIGNMENT, SO I THINK WE WANT
TO STUDY THAT AS A NEXT STEP
WHEN IT IS TIME TO LOOK AT THAT
UNDERCROSSING, AND THE
IMPORTANCE OF THAT UNDERCROSSING
TO THE BICYCLE CIRCULATION IS
THE LINKAGE TO THESE REGIONAL
FACILITIES THAT I REFERRED TO
AND ALSO CREATING A NORTH-SOUTH
LINKAGE TO THE 6TH AND LAMAR
AREA WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT
ACTIVITY CENTER SO THE PLAN
CALLS FOR THAT BICYCLE LINKAGE
HEADING UP ON THE WEST SIDE OF
SEAHOLM AND CONNECTING TO THIRD
STREET WHERE IT WOULD CONNECT TO
THAT AREA.
ANOTHER LINKAGE THAT IS PROPOSED
BECAUSE OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS
CREATING A VERY MAJOR BARRIER,
IS A NEW UNDERCROSSING AT BOWIE
STREET WHICH WOULD PROVIDE
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE LINKAGE
DIRECTLY NORTH FROM THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE, SO THOSE LINKAGES ARE
VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE
PLAN AND WILL NEED FURTHER STUDY
AS IMPLEMENTATION PROCEEDS.
TRANSIT, ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT
COMPONENT OF THE PLAN.
WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY
PLANNING HERE COULD ACCOMMODATE
FUTURE TRANSIT ELEMENTS, ONE
THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE IN
THE PLANNING STAGES NOW, BUT WE
DIDN'T WANT TO FORECLOSE FUTURE
OPPORTUNITIES AND THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE COMMUTER
RAIL THAT COULD ULTIMATELY USE
THE EXISTING TRACKS HERE IN THE
AM TRACK STATION WITH LINKAGES
TO SAN ANTONIO, FUTURE LIGHT
RAIL WHICH HAD BEEN TALKED ABOUT
AS BEING — AS COMING ALONG
THIRD STREET.
THE CONCEPT THAT WE'VE DEVELOPED
FOR TRANSIT IS THAT OF
INTERMODEL FACILITIES BUT
FACILITIES VERY MUCH PART OF THE
STREET ESCAPE AND PUBLIC FABRIC
OF THIS DISTRICT.
THE IDEA OF A TRANSIT PLAZA
IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF SEAHOLM
THAT WOULD BE A TERMINOUS FOR A
FUTURE LIGHT RAIL STATION AND A
TRANSFER TO THE CAPITOL METRO
BUS SYSTEM HERE WITH A VERY
SHORT WALK TO COMPUTE COMMUTER
FACILITIES AND AMTRACK
FACILITIES WHICH COULD BE
LOCATED HERE ALONG THE UNION
PACIFIC MAIN LINE TRACKS.
SO TRANSIT — MAKING SURE THAT
WE HAVE THOSE FUTURE LINKAGES
AND THAT TRANSIT CAN SERVE A KEY
ROLE IN PROVIDING ACCESS TO
SEAHOLM, AND FINALLY
REDEVELOPMENT, AND THE IDEA OF
PROMOTING REDEVELOPMENT THAT
WILL HELP TONER JIEZ........... TO IN...... ENERGY THIS
DEVELOPMENT.
ONE IS THE Y PROPERTY NORTH OF
THE HISTORIC SEAHOLM BUILDING.
WE RECOMMENDED THAT THAT BE
ACQUIRED AND PRESERVED FOR
FUTURE SEAHOLM EXPANSION AS I
REFERRED TO, AND TO THE CREATION
OF AN ACTIVITY PLAZA.
THE AUSTIN ENERGY SITE AT THIRD
AND WEST AVENUE IS AN IDEAL
REUSE SITE FOR MIXED USE
RESIDENTIAL, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
WE INTRODUCE A POPULATION AND
REINFORCE A POPULATION OF
RESIDENTS WITHIN THIS AREA TO
CREATE A SECURE AND INTERESTING
ENVIRONMENT, THE IDEA OF GROUND
LEVEL COMMERCIAL USES,
PARTICULARLY AT THE INTERSECTION
AGAIN THAT WILL HELP TO ENERGY
JIEZ AND ACT TIEF THIS
DEVELOPMENT.
THE FUTURE LUMBERMEN'S SITE
COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE AREA BY
INTRODUCING MORE RESIDENT, THE
IDEA OF RESTAURANTS AND USES
THAT WOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH
THE OPEN SPACE OF TOWN LAKE AND
PUBLIC-ORIENTED USES.
THE IDEA OF INTRODUCING SOME
PUBLIC PARKING THAT CAN HELP TO
SUPPORT OVERHOLLYWOOD NEEDS OF
SEAHOLM.
THERE ARE OTHER MIXED USE SITE,
THE TIPP'S WAREHOUSE, AND OTHER
SITES.
THE FUTURE REUSE POTENTIAL FOR
THE GREEN WATER SITE IS ALSO
DISCUSSED IN THE PLAN.
IF THAT IS RECONFIGURED OR
RELOCATED THERE ARE
OPPORTUNITIES OF EXTENDING THE
SECOND STREET DISTRICT AND AGAIN
EXTENDING THE ENERGY OF THAT
DISTRICT TOWARDS SCHOLL CREEK
CREATING A PEDESTRIAN LINKAGE TO
THE SEAHOLM AREA, AGAIN CREATING
SYNERGIES WITH WHAT YOU'RE
PLANNING.
IF SET IN PLACE NOW, WITH THESE
RECOMMENDATIONS, WE BELIEVE THIS
WILL END UP CREATING A VERY
EXCITING AND VIBRANT DISTRICT IN
AUSTIN.
MAYOR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR
BRIEF PRESENTATION TO YOU.
WE WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
WE HAD YESTERDAY GONE OVER THE
INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS WITH
YOU, BUT IN THE ESSENCE OF TIME,
WE'LL SIMPLY TAKE QUESTIONS, IF
YOU WOULD LIKE, AT THIS POINT.
> Mayor Garcia: THANK YOU.
QUESTIONS?
I THINK THEY HANDLED THEM
YESTERDAY.
WE'LL GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING,
COUNCIL, AND WE HAVE 30
SPEAKERS.
30 PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO SPEAK.
ROBERT KOEHLER DOES NOT WISH TO
SPEAK BUT IS REGISTERED IN FAVOR
OF.
JEFFREY RANDALL SCOTT DOES NOT
WISH TO SPEAK BUT IS REGISTERED
IN FAVOR OF.
CANDICE LYE IS REGISTERED AND
DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK.
JOE VILLERREAL, NOT WISHING TO
SPEAK, IN FAVOR OF.
JEFF HARTONG, REGISTERED, NOT
WISHING TO SPEAK, IN FAVOR OF.
(INAUDIBLE) REGISTERED, NOT
WISHING TO SPEAK, IN FAVOR OF.
BRIAN RUNYON, REGISTERED, NOT
WISHING TO SPEAK, IN FAVOR OF.
RUTH JUAREZ, NOT WISHING TO
SPEAK.
IN FAVOR OF.
KEN COLLINS, REGISTERED, NOT
WISHING TO SPEAK, IN FAVOR OF,
AND HAS THE FOLLOWING NOTE ON
THE BACK: THIS PLAN IS A
POSITIVE STEP TOWARD — IT'S A
POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS
REDEVELOPING THE SEAHOLM
DISTRICT AND IT'S A PLACE FOR
PUBLIC, CIVIC, RECREATIONAL AND
OTHER APPROPRIATE USES ADJACENT
TO TOWN LAKE AND THE WEST END
DISTRICT.
THAT IS SIGNED KEN COLLINS.
(ONE MOMENT, PLEASE, FOR CHANGE
IN CAPTIONERS...).
SINNER JIS TICK.
SYNERGY, SYNERGY, SINNER JIS
TICK, VEHICULAR, VEHICULAR.
VEHICULAR.
SINNER JIS TICK.
SEN NERGISTIC SYNERGISTIC
BECAUSE WHEN
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SUCH
AS ASBESTOS, LED, ARE
HANDLED, CLER CLER
EMPLOYEES ARE PUT IN
HARM'S WAY, LIABILITY IS
CREATED, AND THE
QUESTION OF THE
CREDIBILITY AND THE
VALIDITY OF THE
DECONTAMINATION
ANALYTICAL DATA IS ALSO
CREATED.
CONSIDERING THERE IS
TALK OF MAKING THE SITE
ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN.
[ BUZZER SOUNDS ]
I STROJLY — STRONGLY
ADVISE THE CITIZENS OF
AUSTIN, TEXAS, ALONG
WITH THE LOCAL
INVESTIGATIVE ARM OF THE
MEDIA TO CONSIDER A
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION
INTO THE VALIDITY OF ANY
AND ALL ANALYTICAL DATA
AND DOCUMENTATION FROM
ROY F. WEST CITY OF
AUSTIN INCORPORATED OR
ERC PROPOSING COMPLETE
AND PROPER
DECONTAMINATION AND
REMEDIATION HAS TAKEN
PLACE AT THE SEAHOLM
POWER PLANT.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK
YOU, MS. CUNNINGHAM.
JENNIFER McFAIL.
YOU CAN SPEAK FROM
THERE.
[ INAUDIBLE ]
MAYOR GARCIA: THERE
YOU ARE.
I'M JENNIFER McFAIL.
I'M WITH ADAPT OF TEXAS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO LET
YOU KNOW THAT ADAPT IS
SUPPORTIVE OF SORT OF A
HYBRID PLAN OF BOTH THE
BOWIE PLAN AND THE
NORTHWEST PLAN BECAUSE
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE
DIRECT ACCESS TO THE
EXISTING STUFF ON LAMAR.
SOME OF THE PLANS WOULD
TAKE YOU LIKE FOUR
BLOCKS OUT OF THE WAY IN
ORDER TO ACCESS LAMAR.
AND THAT'S FINE.
IF YOU'RE BIRD WATCHING
OR BIKING FOR EXERCISE,
BUT IF YOU'RE A PERSON
WANTING TO JUST WORK OR
WANTING TO GET TO THE
RETAIL STUFF, ESPECIALLY
IF YOU'RE IN A CHAIR,
YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT
GOING TO GO FOUR BLOCKS
OUT OF YOUR WAY.
I KNOW WHEN I WAS IN MY
MANUAL CHAIR,
ESPECIALLY, I WOULDN'T
HAVE DONE THAT.
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FOUR
MILES OR 40 MILES.
IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN
DONE.
SO JUST MAKE IT SHORT,
SWEET, DIRECT AND TO THE
POINT, AND WE WOULD
APPRECIATE THAT A LOT
MORE.
WE HATE TO SEE ALL THIS
PLANNING FOR ALL THIS
TIME GO TO, YOU KNOW,
WAYS TO FACILITATE THE
COMMUNITY.
IT'S VERY BASIC.
IF YOU'VE EVER NOTICED
THE ACCEPTABLE PATH OF
TRAVEL, IN MOST CASES
IT'S THE LEAST DIRECT
POINT OF TRAVEL.
AND WE DON'T LIKE THAT.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT
PEOPLE GENERALLY
APPRECIATE.
IF YOU SPEND HALF YOUR
LIFE GOING AROUND AND
AROUND IN A CIRCLE JUST
TO GET TO WHERE
EVERYBODY ELSE IS, IT'S
GOING TO TICK YOU OFF
AND KEEP YOU FROM BEING
INVOLVED IN THE
COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING
THAT WE NEED TO GET AWAY
FROM.
THANK YOU.
ARREST DIRECT ROUTE.
LIKE JENNIFER SAYS.
JUST GOING FOUR BLOCKS
OUT OF YOUR WAY MEANS
YOU MAY WANT GO AS ALL.
YOU MAY AS WELL NOT.
IT TIRES YOU OUT IF
YOU'RE IN A CHAIR.
YOU DON'T NEED THAT
EXTRA STRESS JUST TO DO
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET
DONE.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: DAVID
WITTY.
FOLLOWING MR. WITTY, RON
CRANSTON.
GOOD EVENING
COUNCILMEMBERS, MY NAME
IS DAVID WITTY AND I'M
ALSO WITH ADAPT.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO
WHEN WE WERE
PARTICIPATING IN
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE
PLANNING OF THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE, THE NORTHWEST
ARM EXTENSION WAS THE
ICING ON THE CAKE.
AND IT WAS PROMISED THAT
IT WAS GOING TO BE
SOMETHING THAT WOULD
MAKE THE PFLUGER BRIDGE
A REAL ACCESS MODE FOR
FOLKS WHO WERE NOT ABLE
TO GET FROM SOUTH LAMAR
TO NORTH LAMAR WITHOUT
GOING RIGHT ACROSS THE
RIVER.
OBVIOUSLY THE BRIDGE WAS
NOT USED FOR FOLKS IN
WHOLE CHAIR.
IT'S DIFFICULT FOR
PEOPLE USING BIKES OR
RUNNING OR JOCKING.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS
CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE
NORTHWEST ARM IS BEING
PAINTED AS SOMETHING
THAT'S GOING TO BLOCK
THE VIEW.
WELL, I REMEMBER WHEN
THE PFLUGER BRIDGE WAS
SOMETHING THAT WAS
OPPOSED BECAUSE IT WAS
GOING TO BLOCK THE VIEW
OF TOWN LAKE.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT
SEEMS TO ME LIKE YOU
COULD USE A NORTHWEST
ARM EXTENSION TO CREATE
AN OPPORTUNITY OR MAYBE
AN OBSERVATION ON ARE A
PLATFORM TO CREATE A
BETTER VIEW OF THE
SURROUNDING AREA.
BUT WE DO SUPPORT THE
HYBRID PLAN AS ONE OF
THE BEST AND MOST COST
EFFECTIVE AND MOST
TRANSPORTATION WISE AND
PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY WAYS
OF ASKING ALL THE
SURROUNDING AREA,
INCLUDING THE SEAHOLM
DEVELOPMENT AND THE
COMMERCIAL USE OF FIFTH,
SIXTH AND LAMAR.
SO ESPECIALLY WITH THE
PROPOSAL OF CREATING A
HYBRID THAT HASN'T BEEN
INCLUDED IN THE PLAN, IT
COULD BE A COST
EFFECTIVE SOLUTION AND
CREATE A LOT OF
POLITICAL FRIENDLINESS.
THANK YOU.
WYNN: MAYOR PRO TEM?
GOODMAN:
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN?
THE HYBRID PLAN
AGAIN?
WELL, IT WAS NOT
REALLY DEVELOPED IN THE
MASTER PLAN, BUT IT
LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A
SMALL ARM EXTENSION,
INSTEAD OF LIKE A HUGE
FLYOVER EXTENSION, IT
COULD CONNECT WITH THE
BOWIE STREET EXTENSION
THAT WOULD GO UP THE
TUNNEL.
AND THAT WOULD CREATE A
PARALLEL TO LAMAR
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE THAT
YOU COULD TURN LEFT OR
RIGHT, EITHER GO WEST OR
EAST.
BUT IF YOU GO WITH THE
NORTHEAST ARM EXTENSION,
JUST COUNTING THE
BLOCKS, THAT PERSON WHO
USES THE WHEELCHAIR
WOULD HAVE TO GO FOUR
BLOCKS OUT OF THE WAY.
WE REALLY DON'T HAVE
THAT OPPORTUNITY OR THE
OPTION OF GOING STRAIGHT
UP LAMAR BECAUSE OF THE
TRAIN TRACKS, BECAUSE OF
THE REALLY STEEP INCLINE
OF THE EXISTING WALKS
THERE AT THE UNDERPASS.
SO THAT'S REALLY NOT AN
OPTION FOR US.
IT NEVER HAS BEEN.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A
GREAT AMOUNT OF
DIFFICULTY, AND THAT'S A
LOT OF FOLKS THAT USE
THE GOODWILL CITIES
SERVICES THERE AT THE
NORTHEAST SECTION OF THE
TRAIN TRACKS AT NORTH
LAMAR.
SO IF THERE COULD BE
SOME RECONSIDERATION OF
A WAY TO, YOU KNOW,
DURING THESE TWO OR
THREE PLANS TOGETHER
MAYBE AND STILL HAVE THE
MIXED USE, THEN THAT
WOULD BE SOMETHING WE
COULD ALL BENEFIT FROM.
WYNN: SO UTILIZING
THE NORTHWEST APPROACH
WOULD BE THE HYBRID.
IT DOESN'T REALLY GO
NORTHWEST.
IT'S KIND OF CALLED THE
HYBRID PLAN, NORTH/WEST.
IT'S KIND OF A LITTLE TO
THE EAST, TOWARD THE
EAST AND AIMING TOWARDS
BOWIE AND THEN GOING UP
TO THE TUNNEL.
BECAUSE REALLY THE BOWIE
PLAN HAS A LITTLE
REVISION.
GOODMAN: THANK YOU.
RON CRANSTON, FOLLOWED
BY ROBIN CAREER.
HI, I'M RON CRANSTON
ALSO WITH ADOPT.
AND I THINK A GOOD BIT
OF WHAT DAVID AND THE
OTHERS MENTIONED, I
REALLY WOULD LIKE TO
REFLECT WHAT THEY SAID.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD
ADD TO THAT, IN WHATEVER
PLAN, AND HOPEFULLY IT A
CONSIDERATION OF THE
HYBRID THAT DAVID
MENTIONED, THE GRADIENT
WOULD BE, I THINK, A
GOOD, YOU KNOW,
CONSIDERATION IN TERMS
OF COMING OUT OF THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE, GOING
OVER CESAR CHAVEZ AND TO
THE UNDERPASS ON THAT
HYBRID.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD
POSSIBILITY FOR A
GRADIENT FOR WHEELCHAIR
USERS.
AND AGAIN, I WOULD ONLY
GO BACK TO WHAT THEY
SAID, IN TERMS OF THE
FOUR BLOCKS OUT OF THE
WAY, THAT POSSIBLE
HYBRID WOULD BE DIRECT.
GRADIENT WISE IT WOULD
BE GOOD, AND IT WOULD
STILL SERVE A LOT OF THE
PURPOSES THAT THE
GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD
NEED IN TERMS OF
ACCESSING THE MAJORITY
OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT
GO ON IN SEAHOLM AND THE
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES OF
LAMAR.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
GOODMAN: THANK YOU.
MR. CRAVEY HAS ANOTHER
THREE MINUTES AS WELL.
AND IT WILL BE FOLLOWED
BY SHENA ADAPT.
THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK,
MAYOR PRO TEM AND
COUNCIL.
I'M ROBIN CRAVEY.
I'M HERE REPRESENT
WILLING THE ZILKER PARK
ASSOCIATION AND ALSO AS
A BICYCLE COMMUTER AND A
WALKER.
I'M NOT CURRENTLY
PRESIDENT OF THE
ASSOCIATION OR AN
OFFICER, BUT THE
OFFICERS ASKED ME TO
REPRESENT THEM TONIGHT.
AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO
ASK YOU TO GIVE US A
SAFE AND CONVENIENT BIKE
AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTE
FROM SOUTH LAMAR TO
NORTH LAMAR.
THE WAY TO DO THAT IS TO
BUILD A NORTHWEST
FLYOVER TO THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE.
THE NORTHWEST FLYOVER IS
THE ONE THAT WILL BUILD
THE ORIGINAL GOAL OF THE
BRIDGE.
IT'S ALSO THE ONE HAS
THE MOST READY FOR
CONSTRUCTION.
THE DESIGN IS DONE, THE
PERMITS ARE IN PLACE,
IT'S READY TO GO.
IT'S ALSO THE ONE THAT
IS THE LEAST ENTANGLED
WITH THE SEAHOLM PLANT.
AND WHY IS THIS EVEN A
SEAHOLM IUE?
IT IS BECAUSE THE
SEAHOLM PLANNERS CHOSE
TO MAKE IT AN ISSUE BY
NOT RESPECTING A PROJECT
THAT WAS ALREADY IN
PROGRESS.
AND CHOSE TO DESIGN
THEIR PLAN IN A WAY THAT
INTERFERES WITH
COMPLETION OF THE
BRIDGE.
NOW, THE SEAHOLM PLANT
HAS A LOT OF GOOD THINGS
IN IT, GOOD PEOPLE
WORKED ON IT, BUT IT'S A
LONG-TERM VISION, AS
THEY TOLD YOU, AND I'M
ASKING YOU PLEASE DON'T
DELAY AN URGENTLY NEEDED
PROJECT FOR A LONG-TERM
VISION THAT HAS A LOT TO
BE DONE BEFORE IT'S
REALIZED.
A LOT OF FOLKS SUPPORT
BUILDING THE NORTHWEST
FLYOVER.
SOME FOLKS — THE ZILKER
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
VOTED, AND YOU HAVE
THEIR LETTER IN FRONT OF
YOU, VOTED TO SUPPORT
IMMEDIATE BUILDING OF
THE NORTHWEST FLYOVER,
AND OPPOSITION TO THE
SEAHOLM PLAN THAT IS
CURRENTLY CONFIGURED,
CAUSED US SEVERAL
CONCERNS.
YOU ALSO HAVE A LETTER
FROM THE SOUTHWEST
COALITION OF
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT MAKES
THE SAME TWO POINTS AND
HAS SOME OF THE — SETS
OUT SOME OF THE
CONCERNS.
THE SOUTH CENTRAL
COALITION POINTS OUT
THAT THE PLAN DOES
NOT — AND THIS IS
DURING THE FIRST WEEK IN
APRIL.
THE PRESENTATION DOESN'T
ADDRESS THE REUSE OF THE
SEAHOLM PROPERTY.
THE REALIGNMENT OF SAN
DA MORITO WAY HAS
SEVERAL NEGATIVE
ASPECTS.
AS YOU KNOW, A NUMBER OF
SORTION ORGANIZATIONS
AND CITIZENS HAVE
OPPOSED PURCHASING THE
LUMBERMAN'S PROPERTY.
THE SEAHOLM MASTER PLAN
SEEMS TO BE DEPENDENT ON
NOT DOING THAT.
AND THE COALITION IS
ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE
MASTER PLAN IS BEING
USED TO DELAY THE
COMPLETION OF THE
PFLUGER PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE, SPECIFICALLY THE
NORTHWESTERN ARM.
SO THE SOUTH CENTRAL
COALITION AND WITH THE
CONCURRENCE OF THE
ZILKER NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION CONCLUDED
THAT THE SEAHOLM
DISTRICT MASTER PLAN
COMPROMISES THE TOWN
LAKE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE TOWN LAKE PARK PLAN
AND PLANS FOR PEDESTRIAN
AND BICYCLE ACCESS AND
SPEARTS THE PARKS BOARD
IN ITS REJECTION.
I WAS ALSO AT A MEETING
RECENTLY OF SOME BICYCLE
COMMUTER STAKEHOLDERS AT
WHICH COMPLETION OF THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE AND
PARTICULARLY THE
NORTHWEST FLYOVER WAS
OVERWHELMINGLY SPORTED.
ARE THERE OTHER ROUTES?
YES, THERE ARE, BUT WE
WANT A DIRECT ROUTE.
AND I COULDN'T BE AS
ELOQUENT ABOUT THAT AS
THE MEMBERS OF ADAPT
WERE, BUT I WOULD SAY,
TOO, THAT IF AUSTIN'S
SERIOUS ABOUT PROMOTING
BICYCLE COMMUTING, A
SERIOUS CITY IS GOING TO
PROVIDE BICYCLE
COMMUTERS WITH DIRECT
ROUTES TO THEIR
DESTINATIONS.
THE DETOUR OF A BLOCK OR
TWO OF FOUR MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IF BICYCLES
AND PEDESTRIANS?
YES, IT DOES.
SO WHAT SHOULD THE
COUNCIL DO?
I HOPE THAT WHAT THE
COUNCIL WILL DO IS TO
MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO
BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF
THE NORTHWEST FLYOVER,
CONSTRUCT THE SEAHOLM
PLANNERS TO REDESIGN
THEIR PLAN TO RESPECT
THE COMPLETION OF THE
BRIDGE AND TO LISTEN
VERY CAREFULLY TO SOME
OF THE OTHER CONCERNS
ABOUT THE PLAN FROM
OTHER NEIGHBORS AND
COMMUNITY LEADERS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I CAN ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT
HAVE.
GOODMAN: THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
THE NEXT PERSON, AND
THEN FOLLOWEDLY MARY
ARREST NORLD.
GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS SUSIE AND I'M
HERE AGAIN TO ASK YOU
FOR EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS
TO ACQUIRE THE
LUMBERMAN'S TRACT.
IN THE 1998 FINAL REPORT
FROM THE SEAHOLM REUSE
PLANNING COMMITTEE ON
PAGE 2, THEY UNANIMOUSLY
VOTED TO URM THE CITY
COUNCIL TO EXAMINE THE
FIVE-ACRE TRACT TO THE
WEST OF SEAHOLM FOR
PARKING.
THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION
WOULD BE TO PURCHASE THE
LAND AND ADD IT TO THE
CITY PARKS INVENTORY.
TO ME IT'S ALMOST
IRRESPONSIBLE TO TALK
ABOUT SPENDING UP TO
$65 MILLION ON BEAUTIFUL
PROJECTS AND PLANS, AND
IGNORE THE FACT THAT
IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO
SEAHOLM IS THIS OPEN
SPACE OF 4.4 ACRES.
A LITTLE BIT OF IT WENT
TO MARY ARNOLD'S
PARKLAND, AND I THINK
THEY'RE TRYING TO USE
PART OF THAT FOR
RE
ALIGNING THE ROAD.
THE PARK BOARD
RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TRY
TO ACQUIRE LUMBERMAN'S.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION
VERY RECENTLY — HERE
ARE SOME QUOTES FROM
THEIR RECENT MEETING.
SEVERAL COMMISSIONERS
EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT
THE OVERALL PLAN AND THE
FUTURE OF THE TRACT
OWNED BY LUMBERMAN'S.
MAGGIE ARMSTRONG
PROPOSED A
RECOMMENDATION TA THE
CITY EXPLORE BUYING THE
LUMBERMAN'S TRACT.
SOME COMMISSIONERS,
INCLUDING SAFE SULLIVAN,
WERE INTERESTED IN
PROMOTING THE IDEA.
COMMISSIONER GARZA
AGREED THAT THE
LUMBERMAN'S TRACT WAS A
QUOTE, UNQUOTE, BLACK
HOLE IN THE MASTER PLAN.
ANOTHER POINTED OUT
OTHER WAYS TO ADVANCE
DISCUSSION OF THE
LUMBERMAN'S TRACT.
AND I DO HOPE THAT THE
STAFF TAKES A LOOK AT
THE ALTERNATIVES, IF FOR
NO OTHER REASON THAN TO
ESTABLISH WHAT A PRICE
IS.
AND WHAT I'M SAYING
IS — AND I GAVE
Y'ALL — ABOUT TWO
MONTHS AGO I GAVE Y'ALL
A LOVELY ARTICLE OUT OF
THE "WALL STREET
JOURNAL" ABOUT MAINLY
CENTRAL PARK.
WE NEED MORE — CENTRAL
PARK IN NEW YORK.
WE NEED MORE THAN TOKEN
GREEN SPACE DOWNTOWN.
GREEN SPACE IS BOTH A
REGENERATOR FOR THE
URBAN SOLE.
THERE ARE TONS OF
FOUNDATIONS THAT HAVE
MONEY.
THEY HAVE TO GIVE X
PERCENT EVERY YEAR TO
MAINTAIN THEIR NONPROFIT
STATUS.
A AND SURELY THERE'S
SOMEBODY THAT WOULD
DONATE MONEY FOR
ACQUIRING OPEN SPACE IN
A CENTRAL CITY NEXT TO
THE WATERFRONT.
NOT MANY CITIES HAVE A
TOWN LAKE GOING THROUGH
THEIR CITY.
AND WE NEED THAT GREEN
SPACE TO COMPLIMENT
WHATEVER YOU DO WITH
SEAHOLM.
IT WOULD GIVE YOU MORE
FLEXIBILITY AND
PLANNING.
THE PARKING, THE TRANSIT
HUB, THE BIKE WOIS AND
PEDESTRIANWAYS.
AND YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO
SPED CAPITAL METRO MONEY
REALIGNING SAN DA MORE
RECEIPT TO ROAD.
LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS.
IT'S DOING A GOOD JOB.
IF YOU EVER DID ACQUIRE
IT, THIS IS A PERSONAL
THING, I THINK SOMEBODY
OUGHT TO CONSIDER NAMING
IT — OF COURSE, I'D
LIKE TO NAME IT MARY
ARNOLD TOO, BUT ROBERTA
CREP SHAW — IS THAT 30
SECONDS OR THREE
MINUTES?
WHICH BUTTON WAS THAT?
GOODMAN: THAT WAS THE
THREE MINUTES.
OKAY.
THANK Y'ALL.
DON'T FORGET LUM BHER
MAN'S.
— LUMBERMAN'S.
GOOD ARE THERE
QUESTIONS OF THE STAFF?
MARY ARNOLD,.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR
PRO TEM GOODMAN AND
MEMBERS OF THE CITY
COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS MARY ARNOLD.
THE TOWN LAKE PARK IS A
TRULY WONDERFUL URBAN
GREEN SPACE THAT WE CAN
ALL BE VERY PROUD OF.
AND I SUPPORT THE REUSE
OF SEAHOLM FOR FURTHER
PUBLIC USE.
AND IN THE SETTING OF
THE TOWN LAKE GREENBELT.
BY AMENDING THE TOWN
LAKE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
TO INCLUDE THE SEAHOLM
DISTRICT MASTER PLAN AS
PROPOSED, HOWEVER, YOU
ARE SAYING THAT IT IS A
GOOD THING TO TAKE
PUBLIC PARKLAND AND
PROVE AND PROVIDE ACCESS
FOR A PRIVATE
DEVELOPMENT.
YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S
A GOOD THING TO DECREASE
THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC
LAND IN THE TOWN LAKE
CORRIDOR BY TURNING OVER
SOME OF IT FOR PRIVATE
DEVELOPMENT.
YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S
A GOOD THING TO USE A
PORTION OF SAND BEACH
RESERVE DEDICATED TO THE
CITY BY LIC IN 2001 JUST
AS A PAVED AREA.
AND NOT TRY TO
INCORPORATE IT INTO
GREEN SPACE.
YOU WOULD BE SAYING THAT
IT'S A GOOD THING TO
CONSIDER ADDING HOV
LANES TO CESAR CHAVEZ
AND INCREASING ITS
PAVEMENT WIDTH AND
MAKING IT MORE OF A
FREEWAY RATHER THAN
SIMPLY AS IT IS NOW, A
ROAD THROUGH PARKLAND.
WE WOULD BE SAYING THAT
IT IS A GOOD THING TO
HAVE A FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT IN
THE TOWN LAKE CORRIDOR
THAT PROPOSES TO USE
PUBLICLY CONSTRUCTED
PARKING TO ENHANCE THIS
PROJECT.
I URGE YOU PLEASE
CONSIDER IN THE SEAHOLM
DISTRICT MASTER PLAN AN
ALTERNATIVE EXAMINING
PUBLIC ACQUISITION OF
THE LUMBERMAN'S SITE.
I'M OPPOSED TO THE GREEN
WATER TREATMENT PLANT
BEING TURNED OVER FOR
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT.
I'M OPPOSED TO USING
PUBLIC PARKLAND FOR
ACCESS TO PRIVATE
DEVELOPMENT.
THERE'S PLENTY OF
VIBRANT DEVELOPMENT
TAKING PLACE AROUND HERE
AS MR. ADAMS POINTED
OUT, WITHOUT BUILDING ON
THE LUMBERMAN'S SITE.
THANK YOU.
GOODMAN: THANK YOU.
BENNETT DONOVAN,
FOLLOWED BY BRAD ROCK
WELL.
MY NAME IS BENNETT
DONOVAN.
I APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO
YOU TODAY.
I'M HERE AS PRESIDENT OF
THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION.
WE HAVE 125 DUES PAYING
MEMBERS AND WE REPRESENT
AN AREA THAT HAS ABOUT
THREE THOUSAND
RESIDENTS.
OUR MEMBERSHIP STRONGLY
SUPPORTS THE VISION OF
THE SEAHOLM MASTER PLAN.
A LOT OF HARD WORK HAS
GONE INTO IT.
WE SEE IT AS A VIBRANT,
BEAUTIFUL SOUTHWEST
ANCHOR CORNER OF
DOWNTOWN.
AND IT A PART OF
DOWNTOWN WE FEEL THAT
NEEDS ACTIVITIES AND CAN
HAVE ACTIVITY WITHOUT IN
ANY WAY COMPROMISING THE
BEAUTY OF THE TOWN LAKE
CORRIDOR.
THIS PLAN IS READY TO GO
FORWARD.
WE'RE READY TO MOVE.
IN TERMS OF THE BRIDGES,
WE WANT BOTH BRIDGES.
WE WANT AS MUCH ACCESS
AS WE CAN GET.
WE DO NOT NOT IN ANY WAY
OBJECT TO A CONNECTION
TO LAMAR, BUT AT THE
SAME TIME WE WANT THAT
UNDERPASS AND WE WANT
THAT CONNECTION UP
TOWARD — TO THE WEST
OVER THERE.
IT SHOULDN'T BE AN
EITHER/OR, IT SHOULD BE
A BOTH/AND.
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT,
AS I MENTIONED, IS 4-A
ON THAT BRINL, THE BOWIE
UNDERPASS BECAUSE
TRAFFIC IS A REAL
IMPEDIMENT TO MOVEMENT
BACK AND FORTH.
I HOPE WE GO FORWARD
TONIGHT BECAUSE WE'RE
READY TO GO.
GOODMAN: THANK YOU.
MARK BARNETT WILL BE
AFTER THE NEXT SPEAKER.
MY NAME IS BRAD
ROCKWELL.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT WHAT
ROBIN — THE POSITION
TOOK BY ROBIN CRAVEY.
I THINK THERE'S MUCH
THAT'S GOOD ABOUT THE
SEAHOLM PLAN, BUT IT A
VERY AMBITIOUS AND
IMPORTANT PROJECT AND I
THINK IT SHOULD BE
REJECTED TO THE EXTENT
THAT IT'S INCONSISTENT
WITH THE NORTHWEST ARM,
NORTHWEST FLYOVER OF THE
PFLUGER BRIM.
WHEN YOU'RE A BICYCLE,
THE FIRST THING THEY
NOTICE ABOUT
TRANSPORTATION OFTEN IS
ALL THE BICYCLE
AMENITIES ARE BASICALLY
KIND OF TACKED ON TO THE
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
AND REALLY DESIGNED
EXCLUSIVELY WITH CARS IN
MIND.
WE HAVE A RIVER THAT
SEPARATES SOUTH AUSTIN
FROM NORTH AUSTIN, AND
ANY WAY TO GET ACROSS
THERE IS A PROBLEM FOR
BICYCLES.
EVEN IF THE SOUTH FIRST
STREET BRIDGE, WHICH HAS
THESE NICE BICYCLE
AMENITIES ON THE SIDE,
HAS NO CONNECTIVITY TO
ANYTHING THAT'S LOGICAL
OR SENSE KEL AS FAR AS A
BICYCLE ROUTE.
YOU GO ALONG THE
RIGHT-HAND LANE ON FIRST
STREET AND YOU'RE DUMPED
OUT INTO RIGHT HAND TURN
TRAFFIC ON A BUSY
INTERSECTION WITH NO
SIGNALING OR ANYTHING TO
PROTECT A BICYCLIST.
WE DO HAVE SOMETHING TO
LINK SOUTH AUSTIN WITH
DOWNTOWN, AND THAT IS
THE NORTHWEST PORTION OF
THE PFLUGER BRIDGE.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN
DESIGNED, IT'S ALREADY
READY TO GO.
IT SERVES A LONG-NEEDED
PURPOSE, AND THE SEAHOLM
MASTER PLAN SHOULD NOT
BE APPROVED IN A WAY
THAT WOULD INTERFERE
WITH THAT NORTHWEST ARM.
WHAT I'VE HEARD TODAY
FROM THE PRESENTATION OF
THE DESIGNERS OF THE
SEAHOLM DISTRICT MASTER
PLAN ARE THINGS ABOUT
FURTHER STUDY, WHEN
TALKING ABOUT BICYCLE
ROWTH ROUTS, FURTHER
STUDY, LONG-TERM VISION
AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IF THE SEAHOLM DISTRICT
MASTER PLAN IS APPROVED,
AS IS, IT WILL
EFFECTIVELY SHUT DOWN A
VERY IMPORTANT BICYCLE
ROUTE AND NOT REALLY
PROVIDE ANY KIND OF
IMMEDIATE OR CERTAIN
SOLUTION TO THE BICYCLE
PROBLEMS THAT EXIST.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOODMAN: MARK
BARNETT?
TOMMY EDEN?
FOLLOWED BY CHARLES
BEST.
THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO
TEM GOODMAN AND
COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS TOMMY EDEN.
WHY IS THE CITY STAFF SO
INSISTENT ON THE
REALIGNMENT OF SAN DA
MORITA WAY?
FIRST IT WAS THE
NORTHWEST ARM OF THE
EXTENSION OF THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE WITH BLOCKS USED
OF THE SEAHOLM PLANT.
AS MR. WITTY MENTIONED
EARLIER THIS EVENING,
SOME OPPONENTS OF THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE WERE VERY
CONCERNED THAT THE
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WOULD
BLOCK VIEWS OF THE OLD
HISTORIC BRIDGE, BUT NOW
THAT THE NEW BRIDGE HAS
BEEN BUILT, WE HAVE EVEN
BETTER VIEWS THAN WE HAD
BEFORE.
THAT'S NOT A VERY GOOD
ARGUMENT, AND IT SEEMS
THAT THE STAFF IS NOT
USING — NO LONGER
RELYING ON THAT ARGUMENT
AS THEY WERE BEFORE.
THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT
A FREEWAY STYLE RAMP.
THE PROBLEM WITH A
FREEWAY STYLE RAMP IS
THE SPEED, NOT THE
AESTHETICS.
THE TRAFFIC SPEED ON SAN
DA MORIDA WAY IS ALREADY
SLOW ENOUGH.
WHO IS ASKING THE STAFF
TO ELIMINATE THE CURRENT
ALIGNMENT.
THE NEXT ARGUMENT THEY
HAVE IS THAT IT WILL
OPEN UP SPACE FOR MARK
USE, BUT THE PARKS
REPRESENTATIVES HAVE
MADE IT CLOAR THAT THEY
DO NOT SUPPORT THIS
MESSAGE OF PROVIDING
MORE PARK SPACE.
WHO IS ASKING THE STAFF
TO OPEN UP THIS SPACE?
THE STAFF CLAIMS THAT
THE DISTANCE OF THEIR
PREFERRED ROUTE IS
HARDLY ANY FARTHER THAN
THE NORTHWEST ARM.
THEY ADD ONLY FOR PEOPLE
WHO CAN WALK UP AND
DOWNSTAIRS.
IT'S INTERESTING THAT
THE CONSULTANT WHO SPOKE
TONIGHT DID NOT MENTION
THE DISTANCE, BECAUSE
THE STAFF HAS ALWAYS
BEEN CAREFUL TO MENTION
THIS ARGUMENT ONLY WHEN
THEY WERE NO
—
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
WHEELCHAIR USERS, ADAPT.
WHO IS ASKING THE STAFF
TO AVOID THE NORTHWEST
ARM OF THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE.
LUMBERMAN'S INVESTMENT
CORPORATION DID NOT
REQUIRE THE SAN DA
MORIDA WAY BE REALIGNED.
THEIR REPRESENTATIVES
SAID TO PUBLICLY.
WHO IS ASKING THE STAFF
TO REALIGN SAN DA MORIDA
WAY?
WHY IS THE STAFF SO
INSISTENT ON REALIGNING
SAN DA MORIDA WAY?
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE
SECRET DEAL THAT THE
CITY STAFF HAS BEEN
MAKING WITH LUMBERMAN'S
INVESTMENT CORPORATION,
SO I CAN'T ANSWER THESE
QUESTIONS.
I GUESS YOU CAN.
THANK YOU.
GOODMAN: CHARLES
BETTS, FOLLOWED BY CELIA
MOLDEN.
MAYOR PRO TEM GOODMAN
AND MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL, THANK YOU.
I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO
SIMPLY RELAY TO YOU THE
STRONG AND ENTHUSIASTIC
SUPPORT OF THE DOWNTOWN
AUSTIN ALLIANCE FOR THE
SEAHOLM MASTER PLAN.
WE HAVE BEEN BRIEFED ON
IT A NUMBER OF TIMES.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED
ABOUT IT.
WE THINK IT WILL BE A
WONDERFUL, TREMENDOUS
ASSET, NOT ONLY JUST FOR
THE DOWNTOWN, BUT FOR
OUR ENTIRE CITY.
WE STRONGLY SUPPORT IT.
THANK YOU.
GOODMAN: THANKS.
MR. MOLDER, FOLLOWED BY
CHRIS RILEY.
THANK YOU MAYOR PRO
TEM GOODMAN AND
COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JULIA MOLDER.
I'M A BIKE COMMUTER WHO
USES LAMAR BOULEVARD
FROM BEN WHITE ALL THE
WAY TO 38th STREET FOR
MY COMMUTE TO WORK.
WHEN THE PFLUGER
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WAS
BUILT, I WAS THRILLED TO
SEE THAT THERE WOULD BE
A NORTHWEST ARM OF THE
BRIDGE THAT WOULD GO
ACROSS CESAR CHAVEZ AND
LINK TO NORTH LAMAR
BECAUSE THE CONSTRUCTION
OF SUCH A BRIDGE WOULD
EASE WHAT HAS ALWAYS
BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS
AND THE MOST DIFFICULT
PART OF MY COMMUTE.
IF THE SAN DA MORIDA WAY
WERE REALIGNED, THEN THE
NORTHWEST ARM OF THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE WOULD NOT
BE COMPLETED.
THIS IS COMPLETELY
UNACCEPTABLE.
THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF
THE NORTHWEST ARM OF THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE WOULD
PROVIDE GREATLY NEEDED
ACCESS ACROSS CESAR
CHAVEZ WHILE ENJOYING
THE SPEED AND
CONVENIENCE OF STAYING
ON LAMAR.
THERE IS ALREADY ACCESS
TO THE PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGES AT SOUTH FIRST
AND CONGRESS STREET.
LIKE MOTORISTS, MOST
BIKE COMMUTERS LIKE TO
GET FROM POINT A ON TO
POINT B AS AS SORT A
TIME AND DISTANCE AS
POSSIBLE.
ROUTING CYCLISTS FURTHER
EAST TO A HIKE AND BIKE
WILL NOT WORK BECAUSE IT
ADDS TIME TO A LONG
COMMUTE.
I CAN ASSURE YOU IF THE
NORTHWEST ARM OF THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE IS NOT AS
COMPLETED AS IT IS
ORIGINALLY DESIGNED, YOU
WILL CONTINUE TO SEE MY
BIKE AND ME AND MY
COMMUTING FRIENDS
DODGING CARS AT THE
BOTTLENECK, RIDING OUR
BIKES ACROSS THE
ORIGINAL LAMAR BRIDGE.
THE REALIGNMENT OF THE
SAN DA MORIDA WAY IS TOO
EXPENSIVE TO PAY FOR.
IT DOES NOT PROVIDE A
SAFE SOLUTION TO THE
DANGERS OF CROSSING
CESAR CHAVEZ AT LAMAR.
THE NORTHWEST ARM OF THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE HAS
ALREADY BEEN PERMITTED
AND READY TO GO.
LET'S PLEASE COMPLETE
THAT MUCH NEEDED PROJECT
FIRST.
THE SAFETY OF MANY BIKE
COMMUTERS DEPENDS ON IT.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA:
MR. RILEY.
WELCOME.
GOOD EVENING COUNCIL.
I AM CHRIS RILEY.
I'M A LONG TIME DOWNTOWN
RESIDENT, MEMBER OF THE
DOWNTOWN AUSTIN
NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION, AND I'M
ALSO A COMMUTER CYCLIST.
I'D LIKE TO REITERATE
WHAT'S BEEN STATED
EARLIER ABOUT THE
DOWNTOWN — THE DOWNTOWN
RESIDENTS WITH A VISION
SET OUT IN THIS PLAN OF
THE SEAHOLM DISTRICT
BECOMING AN ACTIVE,
MIXED USE SETTING THAT
INTEGRATED, PARKS,
CULTURAL FACILITIES AND
THE INTERNAL TRANSIT
CONNECTIONS AND THE
BICYCLE CONNECTIONS
ALONG WITH RESIDENTIAL
AND RETAIL USES.
I JUST WANT TO CALL THE
COUNCIL'S ATTENTION TO
THREE THINGS IN THE PLAN
THAT I THINK ARE
PARTICULARLY NOTABLE AND
REALLY NEED TO BE HIGH
PRIORITY.
NUMBER ONE IS, OF
COURSE, THE EXTENSION OF
THE PFLUGER BRIDGE.
I THINK THERE'S AN AREA
OF AGREEMENT AMONG MOST
EVERYBODY WHO IS
INVOLVED WITH THIS THAT
THE PFLUGER BRIDGE NEEDS
TO BE EXTENDED WITH A
GREAT SEPARATED CROSSING
AT CESAR CHAVEZ.
THAT WOULD PROVIDE A
CRITICAL LINK FOR
BICYCLE COMMUTERS AND
PEDESTRIANS BETWEEN
SOUTH AUSTIN AND ALL
PARKS NORTH OF THE
RIVER.
I THINK AT THIS POINT
IT'S A LITTLE PREMATURE
TO SAY EXACTLY WHICH
ROUTE IS GOING TO WORK
THE BEST.
I WOULD SUPPORT STAFF'S
RECOMMENDATION THAT WE
PURSUE FURTHER
FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS
BEFORE COMMITTING TO ANY
PARTICULAR PLAN.
ONE CONCERN I HAVE ABOUT
GOING WITH JUST THE
NORTHWEST ARM IS EXACTLY
HOW WE WOULD GET PAST
THE RAIL LINE UP LAMAR.
AND SO FOE THAT REASON I
THINK THE BOWIE
UNDERPASS REALLY OFFERS
A LOT OF PROMISE.
AND THAT REALLY —
THAT'S THE SECOND
PRIORITY THAT I WANTED
TO MENTION.
THE BOWIE UNDERPASS
REALLY FOR A VERY
REASONABLE COST COULD
PROVIDE A HUGE BENEFIT
TO THIS WHOLE AREA.
IT POTENTIALLY REMOVES
THE BARRIER THAT THE
U.T. LINE CREATES
BETWEEN THE SEAHOLM
DISTRICT AND THE
SOUTHWEST PART OF
DOWNTOWN.
SO I THINK THAT —
THAT'S A VERY WORTHWHILE
PART OF THE PLAN TO KEEP
IN MIND.
AND THEN THIRDLY, THE
CRESCENT DRIVE THAT'S
RECOMMENDED AS PART OF
THE DRIVE, THAT WOULD
ACTUALLY PROVIDE ACCESS
BETWEEN THOSE TWO
THINGS, BETWEEN THE
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AND
THE BOWIE UNDERPASS,
AGAIN AT A FAIRLY
REASONABLE COST SH AND
IT COULD ALSO PROVIDE
PARKING FOR SEAHOLM.
SO IT WOULD SERVE
MULTIPLE PURPOSES.
I JUST HAVE TO ADD ONE
LAST COMMENT ABOUT —
COMMENTS ABOUT ACQUIRING
THIS LAND.
I THINK THAT IT'S TRUE
THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN
THE PLAN — AS A CURRENT
MEMBER OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION, I WAS
INTERESTED IN WHETHER
THE POSITION — HOW THE
ACQUISITION OF THIS
PROPERTY WOULD FIT IN
WITH LONG-TERM PLANS FOR
THE TOWN LAKE CORRIDOR.
AND WHAT I FOUND ON
REVIEWING THE PLAN IS
ACTUALLY THAT THE ONLY
PLAN THAT ACTUALLY CALLS
FOR THAT IS WITH THE
SEAHOLM PLAN.
IT DOESN'T ENVISION A
PARK, IT ENVISIONS
PARKING THERE.
IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO
DO — THE SEAHOLM
COMMITTEE ACTUALLY
SUPPORTS THE SEAHOLM
PLAN.
IT COULD MEET ITS
PARKING NEEDS WITH THE
VISION SET OUT IN THE
PLAN.
AND I THINK IN DOING SO
WE COULD ACTUALLY CREATE
A VIBRANT MIXED USE
SETTING THAT WOULD BE A
REAL ASSET TO THE WHOLE
CITY.
THANKS.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK
YOU.
ERIC ANDERSON.
YOU HAVE NINE MINUTES.
[ INAUDIBLE ]
MAYOR GARCIA: IS MARK
BARNETT HERE?
WHAT ABOUT CRAIG NESTLE?
CRAIG IS DONATING HIS
TIME TO ME.
MAYOR GARCIA:
MR. BARNETT IS NOT HERE.
WHAT?
[ INAUDIBLE ]
MAYOR GARCIA: WHAT IS
YOUR NAME, SIR?
[ INAUDIBLE ]
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
BOTH OF THEM ARE HERE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR
GARCIA, MAYOR PRO TEM
JACKIE GOODMAN AND
AUSTIN CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS.
I APPRECIATE YET ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK
ABOUT BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN
CONNECTIONS.
IN THE SEAHOLM DISTRICT
IT HAS BEEN A
FRUSTRATING COUPLE YEAR
PROCESS SINCE WE DECIDED
TO BUILD THE BRIDGE, AND
OF COURSE, HISTORY GOES
BACK TO I BELIEVE 1991
WHEN FIRST COUNCIL
ACTION THAT SET INTO
MOTION THE EVENTS TO EIS
SVEN ACTUALLY BUILD THE
BRIDGE.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO KEEP
MY COMMENTS BRIEF
BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE
FOLKS HERE TODAY HAVE
SET WHAT HAS NEEDED TO
BE SAID.
CURRENTLY YOU'VE ALL
BEEN READING MY E-MAILS
AND READING CYCLING NEWS
WHEN THAT ARRIVES AT
YOUR DESK.
SO I'M GOING TO SIMPLY
RIGHT NOW READ VERBATIM
WHAT WAS IN TODAY'S
CHRONICLE BY AMY SMITH
ON PAGE 13 OF NAKED
CITY.
THE SEAHOLM MASTER PLAN
IS DESIGNED TO RECEIVE
MIXED REVIEWS TODAY WHEN
IT GOES FOR PUBLIC
HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR
SIX P.M.
THE PLAN REEVES LEAVES A
COUPLE OF KEY ISSUES
UNRESOLVED, WITH THE
PFLUGER BICYCLE BRIDGE
EXTENSION AND THE
LUMBERMAN'S PROPERTY
WEST OF SEAHOLM.
ACTUALLY, THE PLAN DOES
NOT ADDRESS THE
LUMBERMAN'S TRACT, —
DOES ADDRESS THE
LUMBERMAN'S TRACT, BUT
NOT THE WAY MANY
COMMUNITY ADVOCATES
WOULD PREFER.
CURRENTLY IN THE PLAN
THE CITY WOULD ELEVATE
THE PROPERTY ABOVE FLOOD
LEVEL.
WHAT THE PLAN DOESN'T
ADDRESS IS THE PROSPECT
OF THE CITY BUYING THE
LAND, STRETCHING
LUMBERMAN'S OUT OF THE
PICTURE ALTOGETHER, THE
SOUTH CENTRAL COALITION
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS
ONE OF THE SEVERAL
GROUPS IN THE PLAN AND
DOESN'T RELISH OF THE
PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER
RECEIVING THE BENEFITS
FROM THE PUBLIC PROJECT.
MOREOVER, THE BICYCLE
AND PEDESTRIAN ADVOCATE
BELIEVE THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL SHOULD FIRST
TAKE ACTION ON THE
PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE
ASSOCIATED WITH THE
INCOMPLETE PFLUGER
BRIDGE BEFORE MOVING
AHEAD WITH THE SEAHOLM
PLAN.
ACTUALLY, I SUPPORT THE
SEAHOLM PLAN.
I BELIEVE MORE DENSITY
IN DOWNTOWN IS A GOOD
THING.
IT WILL ALLOW OUR CITY
TO BECOME MORE BICYCLE
AND PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY.
ONE THING CHRIS RILEY
DIDN'T MENTION TONIGHT,
BUT I BELIEVE THIS
VISION THAT HE SHARED
WITH ME NEARLY FOUR
YEARS AGO — WELL, THREE
YEARS AGO CERTAINLY, WAS
THE IDEA OF A SHOAL
CREEK RESIDENTIAL
CORRIDOR.
AND WE HAVE THE
BEGINNINGS OF THAT WITH
THE NOCONA AVENUE LOFTS,
THE BUILDING THAT IS
GOING TO BE UNDER —
THAT SITE WILL SEE A NEW
PROJECT, POST PROPERTY
EXTENSION, AND ANOTHER
PROJECT UNDERWAY.
IF LIC EVER HAPPENS,
THAT WOULD BE MORE ICING
ON THE CAKE.
WHAT WE HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY HERE IS TO
COME UP WITH A VERY
UNIQUE BICYCLE AND
PEDESTRIAN ACCESSIBLE
DISTRICT FOR HANDICAPPED
INDIVIDUALS.
AND IT IS THAT CHALLENGE
THAT, THOUGH I BELIEVE
THE PLANNERS BEHIND THE
SEAHOLM PLANT HAVE TAKEN
UP, WE HAVE NOT QUITE
MADE THE CHALLENGE AND
COME UP WITH SOMETHING
THAT CAN WORK.
WE CAN BUILD RIGHT AWAY.
THAT IS WHY I SUPPORT
THE NORTHWEST ARM.
I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE
NORTHEAST ARM WOULD BE
MORE FUNCTIONAL, GIVEN
THE BOOMING DOWNTOWN.
BUT I BELIEVE THE BOWIE
STREET UNDERPASS IS THE
NEW SOLUTION THAT MAKES
THE NORTHWEST ARM
IMMINENTLY WORKABLE.
AND IF WHEN WE REUSE
SEAHOLM, WHICH I DO HOPE
WE DO, AND CREATE A
PUBLIC ATTRACTION, THEN
WE CAN DO ANY ONE OF THE
THREE OR FOUR NORTHEAST
OPTIONS THAT ARE ON THE
TABLE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE
ACTION TONIGHT, AMEND
THE SEAHOLM PLANS TO NOT
PREVENT THE NORTHWEST
ARM.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO
MAKE AN ADDITIONAL
MOTION TO BEGIN
CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE CAP METRO FUNDS
ARE AVAILABLE AND
COMBINE IT WITH THE
BOWIE STREET UNDERPASS.
I UNDERSTAND FROM GREG
THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM
WITH THE RIGHT-OF-WAY TO
CONNECT THOSE TWO
ELEMENTS.
THAT PROBLEM, AS HE
EXPLAINED TO ME
YESTERDAY, IS THE
PROPERTY THAT WAS SEATED
TO THE CITY AS PART OF
THE LIC SETTLEMENT ON
THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE
LIC TRACT DID — WAS
TRANSFERRED, BUT THAT
THE TRACTS ON THE NORTH
SIDE THAT WOULD
CONTRIBUTE TO THE
PARKING STREET DO NOT.
THIS IS THE —
APPARENTLY THE ONLY
REASON WHY THAT
COMBINATION OF THE
NORTHWEST ARM AND THE
BOWIE STREET UNDERPASS
HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE STAFF
TO RELOOK AT THAT
QUESTION.
WE HAVE A POSSIBILITY TO
BUILD AN ARM AT A
COMPETITIVE PRICE,
FUNCTION, SNOONGS
POSSIBLE, BY COMBINING
THE NORTHWEST ARM WITH
THE BOWIE UNDERPASS AND
BY THEIR MATH AND I'LL
ADD HALF A MILLION
DOLLARS FOR THE LITTLE
CONNECTING SEGMENTS THAT
WOULD ALL BE AT GRADE,
AND THEN WE CAN MAYBE
ASK WHOLE FOODS FOR HELP
US OUT WITH THAT
REALIGNMENT OF BOWIE
STREET.
WHAT WE WOULD GET IT AN
EXTENSION OF THE BRIDGE
THAT WOULD FOLLOW THE
NORTHWEST ORIGINAL
DESIGN CONNECTING TO THE
BOWIE STREET UNDERPASS.
I SHOULD POINT OUT ON
THE MAP, I SUPPOSE, A
NORTHWEST ARM AS
ORIGINALLY DESIGNED
CLOSING OVER BOTH CESAR
CHAVEZ AND SAN DA MORIDA
WAY, HITTING THE
HILLSIDE HERE, RESOLVING
THAT PROPERTY ISSUE WITH
LIC AND CONNECT WITH A
700,000-DOLLAR, THEIR
ESTIMATE AND NOT MINE,
AND THEN REALIGN BOWIE
TO HIT HENDERSON, WHAT
THAT CORRIDOR WOULD
BECOME WOULD BE A
RELATIVELY STRAIGHT, ONE
BLOCK OUT OF THE WAY
THERE.
I DON'T WANT TO RIDE MY
BIKE ON LAMAR.
THOUGH WE COULD BUILD
THIS LATER, IF THERE IS
ANY CONSTRUCTION ON
LAMAR, SAY, ADDING A
TURN LANE WITH
INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING
GERARD, HAS SUGGESTED TO
EASE TRAFFIC SUGGESTION.
THATFIC CONGESTION.
A LONG-TERM PLAN WOULD
BE TO CONNECT ALL THF
TOGETHER UP TO NINTH AND
LAMAR, CREATING PERHAPS
A BIKE BOULEVARD,
PERHAPS GIVING WHOLE
FOODS SOMETHING TO FOCUS
THEIR DEVELOPMENT ON,
CREATING SOMETHING AS
UNIQUE AS WE HOPE SECOND
STREET WILL BECOME
DOWNTOWN.
I APPRECIATE THE
LEADERSHIP THAT THIS
ENTIRE COUNCIL HAS
INITIATED WITH MAKING
ALL OF DOWNTOWN MORE
BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN
FRIENDLY, AND I WOULD
ENCOURAGE YOU TO
CONTINUE THAT BY
RECOMMENDING STAFF OR
DECIDING YOURSELF
TONIGHT, AT THE VERY
LEAST STUDYING THESE
OPTIONS.
AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,
COMPLETING THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE.
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR YOUR TIME.
[ APPLAUSE ]
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK
YOU.
KEN ALTA.
YOU HAVE SIX MINUTES.
I THINK YOUR DAUGHTER
GAVE YOU THREE MINUTES.
I TELL YOU, THAT'S A
TRICK RIGHT THERE,
MR. ALTA.
[ LAUGHTER ]
WELCOME.
I'VE LEARNED
SOMETHING TODAY.
GOOD EVENING,
COUNCILMEMBERS AND MAYOR
GARCIA.
LET ME CONGRATULATE YOU,
MAYOR, BE LATEDLY FOR
ASCENDING TO THE
POSITION.
I'M PROUD TO SEE YOU
THERE AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO HAVE
BEEN SUCCESSFUL RECENTLY
IN YOUR REELECTION.
HOWEVER, I'M GOING TO
HAVE TO TELL IT LIKE IT
IS TODAY.
THIS IS NOT A HAPPY DAY
FOR ME AND IT'S A VERY
DISTRESSING PROCESS.
I'M SORRY TO SAY THIS,
BUT IT IS TRUE.
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN
LEADERSHIP ON SEAHOLM
FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.
THIS APPEARS STILL TO BE
THE CASE TODAY WITH
TRAGIC, TRAGIC RESULTS.
THIS PLAN LIKELY
GUARANTEES THAT THE
SEAHOLM PROJECT WILL
FAIL.
SIMPLY SAID, THE LIC
LAND IS NECESSARY FOR
SEAHOLM'S SUCCESS.
COUNCILMEMBER GOODMAN IN
1991 AS A MEMBER OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION CAME
TO A PRESS CONFERENCE
THAT WE ALL HAD CALLING
FOR JUST THAT, INCLUDING
OTHER FOLKS, MARY
ARNOLD, ROBERTA CRENSHAW
AND OTHERS.
EVERYTHING TRULY
ACCOMPLISHED THE
CITIZENS INITIATIVE LED
BY FRIEND OF SEAHOLM AND
SINCLAIR BLACK.
THESE WERE THE
GENERATING FORCES.
IT HADN'T NOT BEEN THE
COUNCIL, IT'S BEEN THE
PUBLIC.
MORE THAN 100 TOURISTS,
BROCHURES, PRESS
CONFERENCES AND MEEKT,
FRIEND OF SEAHOLM HAS
SPENT MORE THAN THREE
THOUSAND HOURS PROMOTING
SEAHOLM FOR CULTURAL
USES SINCE 1989 AND
CONTINUES AS SEEMS
UNNECESSARY OR PERHAPS
IT'S JUST UNCONVENIENT.
IF WE HAD LEADERSHIP
FROM THE COUNCIL, THIS
PLAN WOULD BE SEAHOLM
CENTERED INSTEAD OF
DISIEPD TO MEET THE
NEEDS OF THE LUMBERMAN'S
INVESTMENT CORPORATION,
LIC.
THE STRUCTURE AND FIRST
DRAFT OF THE UNANIMOUS
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS OF
1991 AND 1996 WERE FROM
FRIENDS OF SEAHOLM,
INCLUDING THE TEMPORARY
COMMITTEE CALLED THE
SEAHOLM REUSE PLANNING
COMMITTEE, WHICH I WAS A
MEMBER, WHOSE LIMITED
TASKS WERE PLEATED IN
THE SUMMER OF 1998.
YET A SPLIT DEVELOPED,
UNFORTUNATELY, IN THE
PRO SEAHOLM COMMUNITY IN
1998, AND IT BECAME A
CHASM BECAUSE THE CITY
STAFF CHOSE SIDES.
THE CITY STAFF CHOSE
SIDES TO GET THE
SO-CALLED PUBLIC
ENDORSEMENT OF ITS PLAN
FOR SEAHOLM, WHILE
IGNORING, MARGINALIZING
AND EXCLUDING DISDENT
AND MINORITY JOYCES.
IT WAS NOT A COINCIDENT
THAT LIC ENTERED THE
SCENE WITH ITS LAWYERS
AND MONEY AT THIS TIME.
COUNCILMEMBERS, THE
STARKEST EXAMPLE OF THIS
MANIPULATION IS BEFORE
YOU TONIGHT.
THEY ARE IN SUPPORT OF
THIS DISTRICT PLAN, YET
IN ITS FINAL REPORT IN
'98, IT TOOK THE
OPPOSITE POSITION.
THAT IS SUPPORTING THE
PURCHASE OF THE LIC LAND
INSTEAD OF BUILDING A
PARKING LOT.
EVEN THOUGH I PLEADED
WITH THE DIRECTOR OF
TRANSPORTATION, PLANNING
AND SUSTAIN ABILITY IN
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
AUSTAN LIBRACH, AND JAN
IN A McCAN IN 1998 THAT
THIS COMMITTEE NO LONGER
HAD OFFICIAL STABBEDING,
NOR HAD ITS ORIGINAL
MEMBERSHIP OR FOLLOW ANY
FORM, SUCH AS THE RULES
OF ORDER, PUBLIC NOTICE,
THAT IT DID NOT FULLY
REPRESENT THE SEAHOLM
COMMUNITY.
THESE STAFF MEMBERS
CONTINUED TO REFER TO IT
AS AN OFFICIAL
COMMITTEE.
SEE LAST YEAR'S REPORT
TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION AND ASK FOR
ITS ENDORSEMENT WHENEVER
PUBLIC INPUT WAS
REQUIRED, INCLUDING ALL
OTHERS.
STAFF ONLY ACKNOWLEDGED
ITS UNOFFICIAL STATUS
LAST MONTH AFTER MY
SECOND OPEN RECORDS
REQUEST, YET YOU SEEM TO
CARE.
YET IT IS CONVENIENT TO
HAVE A RUBBER STAMP.
THE COUNCIL DOESN'T SEEM
TO WANT TO SPEND THE
MONEY NEEDED TO BUILD
THE TOWN LAKE PARK AT
SEAHOLM AND IT'S
INCONVENIENT TO FOLLOW
PROCESS AND
ACCOUNTABILITY.
IT'S EMBARRASSING TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE
PARKING GARAGE IN THIS
PLAN WILL COST WHAT THE
LAND CAN BE CURRENTLY
PURCHASED FOR.
IT IS EMBARRASSING TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IF WE
BOUGHT THIS LAND FOR
$10 MILLION, WE WOULD
NOT HAVE TO SPEND AN
ADDITIONAL $10 MILLION
DETAILED IN THIS PLAN.
IF WE HAD LEADERSHIP
FROM THE COUNCIL, THIS
LAND COULD HAVE BEEN
BOUGHT YEARS AGO AS WE
HAVE HAD SEVERAL
OPPORTUNITIES TO DO SO.
IF WE HAD THAT
LEADERSHIP, THIS PLAN
WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN
INITIATED BY A FACT PLAN
FROM LIC SAN ANTONIO
ARCHITECT TO THE
PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
WHICH BECAME THE BASIS
FOR ALL THE MAJOR
DECISIONS AND THE
STRUCTURE OF THIS PLAN.
OFTEN AT SEAHOLM'S
EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH
IT'S NAMED AFTER
SEAHOLM, WHICH IS VERY
SAD.
BORDERING ON THE
RIDICULOUS IS THE FACT
THAT LIC NOW, SINCE THE
COUNCIL REJECTED THE
HEIGHT THEIR IN, SINCE
THE COUNCIL HAD NOT
DECIDED WHAT TO DO WITH
THE LAND, EVEN THOUGH
VIRTUALLY EVERY MAJOR
PART OF THIS PLAN
DEPENDS ON SPECIFIC
ACTIONS BY LIC ON THEIR
LAND, YET THE PLAN IS
UNALTERED.
IT IS TRAGIC TO SEE THIS
PLAN CALLED THE SEAHOLM
DISTRICT MASTER PLAN.
THE CITY'S CONSULTANT
WILL TELL YOU THAT IT'S
BEST TO DESIGN THE
DISTRICT SO THAT THE
POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS OF
SEAHOLM CAN KNOW HOW THE
AREA WILL BE DEVELOPED
BEFORE THEY INVEST
MILLIONS IN SEAHOLM
WITHOUT THE LEADERSHIP
FROM THE COUNCIL IT IS
THE BEST COURSE OF
ACTION.
INDEED, THESE
POTENTIALLY INTERESTED
PARTIES NEED TO KNOW
THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO
BUILD AN
11-MILLION-DOLLAR
PARKING GARAGE
PRACTICALLY ON TOP OF
SEAHOLM OR THERE WILL BE
NO PARKING.
AND NEXT DOOR THERE WILL
BE A COMPLEX OF
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
FIVE TIMES LARGER THAN
SEAHOLM, CROWDING THE
ROADS AROUND SEAHOLM.
I APPEAL TO YOU NOW WITH
EXCELLENT AND WISE
GUIDANCE BY MAYOR GARCIA
TO STEP UP THE CHAMPION
DEVELOPMENT FOR THE
SEAHOLM POWER PLANT FOR
THE USES IN THE GREAT
TOWN LAKE PARK BY
WORKING TO PURCHASE THIS
LAND.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK
YOU.
MR. ACRES.
AND FOLLOWING HIM IS DAN
HENDERSON.
THANK YOU, MAYOR AND
COUNCIL.
I'M LARRY ACRES.
I REPRESENT THE FRIENDS
OF THE PARKS AS A
STAKEHOLDER IN THE TOWN
LAKE COMMUNITY PARK
PROJECT.
AND WHILE WE SUPPORT AND
HAVE LONG SUPPORTED THE
POSITIONS THAT WERE
STATED BY MARY ARNOLD
AND JUDY, I'M HERE TO
TALK ABOUT TRAFFIC.
THE STAKEHOLDERS IN OUR
PROJECT HAVE BEEN
LOOKING VERY, VERY
CLOSELY AT THE MODELING
THAT'S COMING OUT OF THE
STUDY.
OUR MOTIVATION IS THAT
WE'RE LOOKING FOR WAYS
TO EASE PEOPLE'S MINDS
ABOUT THE CLOSURE OF
RIVERSIDE DRIVE THROUGH
TOWN LAKE PARK, WHICH IS
THE LYNCH PIN AND KEY TO
THE VIABILITY OF THAT
DEVELOPMENT.
THE SENSITIVITY THAT
WE'RE SEEING IN THE
MODELING OF DOING THIS
HAS TO DO WITH A
PROJECTED MARGINAL
SHORTAGE OF WESTBOUND
CAPACITY IN THE MAJOR
ROADWAYS THROUGH THE
TOWN LAKE DISTRICT.
AND REMEDYING THAT
SITUATION ON ANY OF
THOSE ROADWAYS WOULD
BE — WOULD GIVE US AN
EASY MARGIN, WHICH WOULD
ALLOW US TO CLOSE OUR
ROADS.
THE MAIN BOTTLENECK THAT
WE SEE IN THE MODELING
ON CESAR CHAVEZ IS THAT
THE INTERSECTION WOULD
BE HOUR RENTALS.
AND THERE'S NOT A
PARTICULAR SHORTAGE OF
LANE CAPACITIES AT
INTERSECTIONS, WHAT
THERE IS, HOWEVER, IS A
VERY LENGTHY RED LIGHT
THAT IS ON CESAR CHAVEZ
THAT IS REQUIRED TO
ENABLE THE SAFE PASSAGE
OF PEDESTRIANS ACROSS
CESAR CHAVEZ.
THAT'S WHERE THE
MAJORITY OF THEM ARE
CROSSING.
WELL, HERE WE'RE LOOKING
AT IDEAS FOR HOW TO
STEPPED THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE.
THE MAIN ISSUE THAT I
WANT TO BRING TO YOU IS
THAT BY DOING SO WE'LL
RELIEF THAT — RELIEVE
THAT BOTTLENECK AT
REYNOLDS, AT LEAST TO
OUR FIRST APPROXIMATION,
MORE OR LESS ADDING A
LANE OF CAPACITY ON
WESTBOUND CESAR CHAVEZ.
IT WOULD CERTAINLY COST
LESS TO BUILD THAT
BRIDGE BY ITSELF THAN IT
WOULD TO ADD THAT
CAPACITY.
AND IT WOULD PROVIDE THE
ROADWAY, THE CONGESTION
REMEDY THAT WE'RE
SEEKING IN ADDITION TO
ALL THIS PEDESTRIAN
BICYCLE SAFETY ISSUES.
IT'S ONLY INTUITION THAT
IN MY MIND THAT THE
WESTERN ALIGNMENT WOULD
SERVE THAT PURPOSE
BETTER.
THE ONLY REASON I SAY
THAT IS THAT THE
CROSSING IS CURRENTLY
GOING ON WEST OF LAMAR.
SO IF WE CAN RELIEVE
THAT SITUATION, WE'LL BE
ADDRESSING ISSUES AND
BENEFITS THAT GO FAR
BEYOND THE SIMPLE
BENEFITS OF THE BRIDGE
ITSELF.
SO I HOPE THAT YOU'LL
CONSIDER EXTENDING THAT
BRIDGE AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE AND MAKE THE
QUICKEST PATH TO
COMPLETION ONE OF ITS
ALIGNMENT A MAJOR
CRITERIA IN HOW YOU
DECIDE TO HANDLE THAT
PROJECT.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK
YOU, MR. ACRES.
[ONE MOMENT, PLEASE,
WHILE CAPTIONERS CHANGE]
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN BUT
THREE OF THEM IN THREE
YEARS — TEN YEARS, I'M
SORRY.
THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY.
I'M SORRY I WASTE HAD YOUR
TIME.
MAYOR GARCIA: SCOTT
JOHNSON.
FOLLOWING MR. JOHNSON IS
ARTHUR METZ.
MR. JOHNSON, WELCOME, SIR.
THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, MAYOR
PRO TEM, COUNCILMEMBERS AND
CITY STAFF.
I WOULD LIKE TO START OUT BY
SAYING CONGRATULATIONS TO
COUNCILMEMBER DARYL SLUSHER
AND JACKIE GOODMAN FOR THEIR
RECENT VICTORY.
AS MANY OF YOU HAVE COME
ACROSS THE PFLUGER BRIDGE
AND WE'LL BE HEADING ON AT
6:00 TO OPAL DEFINE'S TO
HAVE REFRESHMENTS.
HELMETS WILL BE PROVIDED AS
WELL.
IN THE CURRENT FORMAT, OR IF
THE CURRENT SEAHOLM PLAN
LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO MOVE
FORWARD RAPIDLY WITH THE
BRIDGE EXTENSION, PFLUGER
BRIDGE EXTENSION, IN
WHICHEVER CAPACITY,
WHICHEVER ROUTE WE DETERMINE
IS EITHER THE BEST OR THE
MOST COST EFFECTIVE, AND
ALSO IF THE PROPERTY, THE
LUMBER PROPERTY IS USED FOR
PARKING, THEN I CAN'T FULLY
SUPPORT THE CURRENT MASTER
PLAN.
OBVIOUSLY THE BEST SITUATION
IS ONE THAT IS ALREADY ONE
THAT'S BEEN RECOMMENDED TO
BUY THE LAND AND SET IT
ASIDE FOR PARKLAND.
I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER
THOSE TWO OPTIONS AS YOU
MOVE FORWARD IN CONSIDERING
THE WHOLE SEAHOLM MASTER
PLAN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
MR. JOHNSON.
ARTHUR METZ.
MY NAME IS ALBERT METZ.
I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU
ABOUT THE LAMAR PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE.
I USE THAT BRIDGE A LOT.
AND TO ME, AS YOU ARE GOING
ON THIS BRIDGE FORWARDS
FIFTH AND LAMAR, THAT WOULD
MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.
THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU
VERY MUCH, MR. METZ.
COUNCIL, THAT'S ALL THE
SPEAKERS WE HAVE ON THIS
PUBLIC HEARING.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
BOB SESSA.
GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME IS BOB SESSA,
REPRESENTING THE BOW LYNN
CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION.
WE JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU
SOME OF OUR THOUGHTS ON THIS
PROJECT.
WE SUPPORT THE SEAHOLM
PROJECT IN CONCEPT, BUT WE
DEFINITELY HAVE CONCERNS
ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES
THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN
ADDRESSED THIS EVENING.
WE'RE DEFINITELY EXCITED
ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE
SEAHOLM PLANT ITSELF WOULD
BE USED FOR COMMUNITY AND
PUBLIC SPACE, AND WE'RE JUST
A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT THIS
IS ONCE AGAIN KIND OF A
SITUATION WHERE THE PRIVATE
SECTOR IS GOING TO OVERWHELM
AND INFLUENCE AND MAKE
IMPACT SOME DECISIONS THAT
WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT,
IMPACT THIS PROJECT.
WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE
DIRECT CONNECTIVITY FROM THE
SOUTH TO THE NORTH, WHICH
WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE THE
COMPLETION OF THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE, AND THAT WOULD — WE
FAVOR THE NORTHWEST ARM OF
THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE
CANNOT AFFORD TO DO IS FAIL
TO PROVIDE THE
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR BIKES AND
PEDESTRIANS.
THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT — THE
URBAN CORE IS SPACE LIMITED
THAVMENT IS THE MAIN
CONSTRAINT IS SPACE.
YOU CANNOT MOVE PEOPLE
AROUND IN A SINGLE-OCCUPANT
VEHICLE EFFICIENTLY, AND
THIS IS ONE OTHER COMPONENT
OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT
WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE
PEOPLE AROUND EFFICIENTLY.
AND THIS IS GOING TO BE
SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO
HELP THE CITY IN THE FUTURE
BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE
ABLE TO DEVOTE MORE SPACE TO
VALUE-ADDED TAX BASE, LIKE
OFFICE BUILDINGS AND
APARTMENTS AND ITEMS LIKE
THAT THAT WON'T NEED CARS,
ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
AND THAT IS THE ONE CONCERN
WE CONTINUE TO HAVE IS THAT
WE FAIL TO SEE THAT NEED —
WE SPEND ALL THIS MONEY IN
TERMS OF TRYING TO INCREASE
THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, THE
SINGLE-OCCUPANT VEHICLE.
WE SPENT NUMEROUS TIME AND
MONEY TO COME UP WITH A
STUDY THAT SAYS THAT WE CAN
CHANGE THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS
THAT WILL ALLOW US TO SAVE
10 FERS TIME, INCREASE 10%
TIME, WHICH IS LIKE 1.3
MINUTES.
AND WE DON'T DO ANYTHING TO
SEE WHAT CAN WE DO TO
INCREASE THE CAPACITY.
AND THAT IS OUR MAIN
CONCERN, AND THAT'S WHERE
BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN
INFRASTRUCTURE CAN HELP
ALLEVIATE A LOT OF THOSE
ISSUES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
MR. SESSA.
COUNCILMEMBERS, THAT'S ALL
OF THE SPEAKERS THAT WE
HAVE, I THINK.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SECOND.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION BY
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ,
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
WYNN.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
QUESTIONS FOR — YOU CAN
STOP THAT CLOCK ANY TIME YOU
ARE READY.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU,
MR. CHAPA.
QUESTIONS FOR THE STAFF?
WYNN: MAYOR?
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN.
WYNN: A COUPLE OF
SPKERS TALKED ABOUT SORT
OF A HYBRID EXTENSION OF THE
PFLUGER BRIDGE, AND
MR. ANDERSON TALKED
ABOUT-WHAT MAY BE THE SAME
THING, THE NORTHWEST
EXTENSION, USING THE
NORTHWEST ABUTMENT, BUT
ULTIMATELY USING THE BOWIE
STREET UNDERPASS UNDER THE
RAILROAD TRACKS.
HAS HA ON YOUR CHINESE MENU
HERE OF IMPROVEMENTS AND
COSTS, IS THAT HERE OR CAN
WE SORT OF FIGURE THAT OUT?
COUNCILMEMBER, THAT
PARTICULAR SCENARIO THAT IS
CORRECT ALIGNMENT, IS NOT
SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE
LOOKED AT PREVIOUSLY.
I THINK THE IDEA FOR IT IS
FAIRLY RECENT.
IT MAY HAVE COME UP JUST IN
THE LAST FEW WEEKS.
HOWEVER, I WOULD WANT TO
POINT OUT THAT WHAT WE'RE
RECOMMENDING TO COUNCIL IS
THAT WE GO THE NEXT STEP,
WHICH IS TO DO A FEASIBILITY
ANALYSIS OF THE — OF A
VARIETY OF SCENARIOS,
INCLUDING NORTHWEST ARMS AND
NORTHEAST ARMS, AND WHILE AT
THIS STAGE OF THE GAME, I
THINK OUR CONSULTANT AND THE
STAFF BELIEVES A NORTHEAST
ARM CONFIGURATION WORKS
BETTER FOR A VARIETY OF
REASONS, I THINK THAT WE ARE
ALSO RECOMMENDING THAT WE
LOOK AT THIS, AT ALL OF THE
IDEAS AND SO SOME
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING AND
SEE ABOUT THE COSTS AND
ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY OF ANY
OF THESE.
THE IDEA OF USING THE BOWIE
UNDERPASS BUT A NORTHWEST
ARM IS SOMETHING THAT IS
BRAND NEW TO US AT THIS
POINT.
WYNN: OKAY.
AND SECONDLY, ON THE ISSUE
OF THE SANDRA MURAIDA
REALIGNMENT, IT'S MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT WAS A
SINCLAIR BLACK — YOU KNOW,
SINCLAIR SORT OF CAME UP
WITH THE IDEA OF WHERE WOULD
WE HAVE THE BEST VISUAL AND
MOST EFFICIENT ENTRANCE AND
IMPACT ON THE SEAHOLM REUSE,
AND THAT AS PART OF THAT,
WITH THE ONGOING BOUNDARY
DISPUTE WITH LUMBERMEN'S,
THAT IT WAS, YOU KNOW, HIS
DESIRE AND ULTIMATELY I
GUESS THE URBAN PLANNING
TEAM'S DESIRE FOR SORT OF
THE GRAND WESTERN ENTRANCE
TO SEAHOLM, THAT THAT
[INAUDIBLE] THE SANDRA
MURAIDA ENTRANCE.
IN TERMS OF WHAT TAKES IT
INTO THE GRAND VIEW, SEAHOLM
AREA IS SOMETHING OUR
CONSULTANT WAS INTERESTED IN
AND DISCUSSED WITH YOU
EARLIER AND THAT WE FELT
MADE A LOT OF SENSE.
SUBSEQUENT TO THAT OUR
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS
HAVE LOOKED AT IT, AND WE
ALSO BELIEVE THE REALIGNMENT
GIVES YOU SOME ADVANTAGES
FROM A TRAFFIC STANDPOINT.
THE PRESS WASN'T SOMETHING
THAT SINCLAIR OR OTHERS
ORIGINALLY HAD THOUGHT
ABOUT, BUT IF BY INCREASING
THE LANE OF SANDRA MUR RAID
TODAY, IT GIVES YOU MORE
STACKING ROOM, IF YOU WILL,
DURING RUSH HOUR SO THAT
TRAFFIC WANT TO GO EXIT
LAMAR ON TO SEIZER CHAVEZ
DOESN'T BACK UP INTO LAMAR
CREATING A TRAFFIC PROBLEM,
OR AS MUCH OF BY INCREASING
THAT LANE.
WE THINK THAT THAT IS A GOOD
MOVE AND WE'LL BE TALKING TO
YOU ABOUT A NUMBER OF OTHERS
THAT WE THINK WE CAN DO IN
THE NEAR TERM IN THE
DOWNTOWN AREA IN TERMS OF
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS.
BUT THAT STICKS FROM A
TRAFFIC STANDPOINT AS WELL
ASBESTOS ANESTHETIC AND
GATEWAY COMPONENT.
WYNN: AND SEVERAL
SPEAKERS REMINDED US THAT
THE '98 SEAHOLM REUSE
COMMITTEE, VERY IMMEDIATELY
IN THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS,
CALLED FOR THE PURCHASE OF
THE LUMBERMEN'S TRACT.
MY REMEMBRANCE WAS THAT WAS
BECAUSE THEY WANT TO —
AMPLE SUPPLY OF SURFACE
PARKING SPACES.
SEEMS TO ME IF WE WERE ABLE
TO BUY LUMBERMEN'S TRACT,
THAT'S WHERE THEY WOULD
PROPOSE THAT THE SURFACE
PARKING LOT GOES, AND MY
GUESS IS THE SANDRA MURAIDA
REAIENMENT WORKS PERFECTLY
THERE TORE A BIG SURFACE
PARKING LOT ON THE
LUMBERMEN'S TRACT.
I WANT TO BUILD ON THAT
MORE.
HOPEFULLY WE WOULDN'T HAVE
TO USE A LOT OF SURFACE
PARKING.
IT'S SORT OF AN IN EFFICIENT
AND NOT A VERY PLEASANT USE
PARTICULARLY AROUND TOWN
LAKE PARK.
HOPEFULLY WE COULD OVER TIME
FIGURE OUT HOW TO PARK CARS
IN SOME TYPE OF STRUCTURE,
BUT SOMEBODY MENTIONED THAT
WE SHOULDN'T CONSIDER THE
SANDRA MURAIDA REAIENMENT
BECAUSE IT I GUESS LIFTS
THE — SERVES AS SORT OF A
DAM AND LIFTS THE
LUMBERMEN'S TRACT OUT OF THE
FLOODPLAIN.
MY THOUGHT IS IF WE'RE ALSO
GOING TO TRY TO PURCHASE THE
LUMBERMEN'S TRACT FOR
PARKLAND, WHY WOULDN'T WE
WANT TO LIFT PARKLAND OUT OF
THE FLOODPLAIN?
I DON'T SEE THE DISCONNECT
OF — IF WE WANT TO PURCHASE
THAT TRACT, WHY WOULDN'T WE
WANT TO HAVE PARKLAND THAT
IS NOT IN THE FLOODPLAIN?
I GUESS THAT'S MORE OF A
STATEMENT THAN A QUESTION TO
YOU, MR. MARTIN.
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, MAYOR.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN.
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ: YEAH, I HAD A
QUESTION.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK
ABOUT THE NORTHWEST FLYOVER
ARM.
AND THEN THIS NEW IDEA TO
LINK IT TO THIS UNDERPASS
AND BOWIE STREET.
BUT IF THE ORIGINAL
NORTHWEST ARM WAS REALIZED,
AND THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN
UNDERPASS AS PART OF THAT AS
WELL, WHERE WOULD THAT GO IN
TERMS OF WHERE THIS MAP IS?
THAT'S CORRECT,
COUNCILMEMBER.
AND THE ORIGINAL IDEA WAS TO
HAVE A NORTHWEST ARM THAT
CAME ROUGHLY AND FOLLOWED
THE LINE, THE LITTLE RED
DOT, AND WOULD HIT GROUND
SOMEWHERE IN THIS AREA NEAR
LAMAR BOULEVARD ITSELF, AND
THEN WOULD EVENTUALLY NEED
TO GO UNDER THE TRACKS AT
THIRD AND WHERE THE RAILROAD
TRACKS ARE, AND THEN ON THIS
SIDE OVER HERE, WELL THRKS
MASTER PLAN SHOWS A NEW
DEVELOPMENT ACTUALLY THERE
IS A SMALL PIECE OF PROPERTY
HERE THAT BELONGS TO THE
CITY.
AT THAT POINT YOU WOULD HAVE
TO HAVE A SPIRAL EXIT OUT OF
THAT DEEP — OUT OF IN A'S
THAT TUNNEL UNDERNEATH THE
TRACTS THAT WOULD GET
INDIVIDUALS UP TO THE
SURFACE ON LAMAR.
THE COST AND FEASIBILITY FOR
DOING THAT WERE NOT PLANNED
EARLIER ON, BUT THERE WAS
THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE
SOMETHING YOU WOULD NEED TO
DO IF YOU WERE TO GO THE
NORTHWEST ARM, THAT'S
CORRECT.
ALVAREZ: SO THAT'S NOT
PART OF THE 5.6 MILLION
ESTIMATE THAT —
LET ME ASK STAFF
WHETHER — IT IS PART OR IS
NOT?
IT IS PART OF THE ESTIMATE.
ALVAREZ: OKAY.
THANK YOU.
SLUSHER: WOULD YOU GO
OVER THAT ONE MORE TIME?
WHAT'S THE — HOW FAR DOES
IT GO AND WHAT IS THE COST?
LET ME SAY THE COSTS —
LATEST ESTIMATE FOR THE COST
TO GET ALL THE WAY FROM —
FROM THE BRIDGE AS IT ENDS
NOW TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
RAILROAD TRACKS, OUR
ESTIMATE AT THIS POINT, WITH
THE UNDERSTANDING IS WE'RE
SAYING THAT WE STILL NEED TO
DO SOME MORE PRELIMINARY
ENGINEERING, OUR ESTIMATE AT
THIS POINT IS 5.6 MILLION.
AND THAT THAT WOULD INCLUDE
A FLYOVER SOAFER CAESAR
CHAVEZ, A FLYOVER OVER
SANDRA MURAIDA, AND A
LANDING SOMEWHERE IN THIS
AREA HERE.
AND THEN IT WOULD THEN TAKE
YOU THROUGH A TUNNEL
UNDERNEATH THIRD AND THE
TRACKS, AND THEN A SPIRAL OR
SOME EXIT OF SOME SORT TO
GET YOU UP TO GRADE ONCE YOU
GOT THROUGH THE TUNNEL TO
BRING YOU TO LAMAR.
SLUSHER: SO THEN IF
CYCLISTS AND THEY ARE RIDING
ON LAMAR AT THAT POINT?
ANYBODY, CYCLISTS OR
WALKING, WHATEVER, ONCE THEY
COME UP TO GRADE, CAN THEN
CONTINUE ON AND RIDE.
SLUSHER: ON LAMAR.
WELL, THE IDEA WOULD BE
TO BRING IT INTO THIS AREA,
WHICH IS — ACTUALLY LAMAR
IS AT A TUNNEL RIGHT THERE.
SO IT'S THE ACCESS ROAD ON
THE SIDE OF LAMAR WOULD TAKE
YOU TO IT IMMEDIATELY.
SLUSHER: OKAY.
WHAT ABOUT BEYOND THERE?
IT COMES UP RIGHT WHERE THE
TUNNEL — THE ROAD NOW GOES
UNDER THE TRACKS?
THAT IS CORRECT.
SLUSHER: OKAY, BUT THERE
IS ANOTHER TUNNEL UNDERNEATH
THE TRACKS TO TAKE THE
CYCLISTS, ISN'T THAT WHAT
YOU TOLD ME?
THIS IS LAMAR IN THE
CENTER LANES, AND IT IS
TUNNELLING UNDER THE TRACKS
AND COMING OUT AT THIS POINT
FROM THAT TUNNEL.
THE NEW TUNNEL FOR CYCLISTS
AND JOGGERS AND SO ON IF WE
WERE TO DO IT WITH THE
NORTHWEST ARM, WOULD BRING
YOU UP TO THIS POINT, AND IT
WOULD LEAVE YOU ON THE SIDE
ROAD AT GRADE WHILE LAMAR IS
ACTUALLY IN THE TUNNEL HERE.
DO YOU FOLLOW THAT?
SLUSHER: YEAH.
AND SO THAT'S SO THE TWO
FLYOVERS AND THE TUNNEL ARE
5.4 MILLION CURRENT
ESTIMATE?
5.6, YES, SIR.
SLUSHER: NOW, THE ONE
MS. McCAN HAS BEEN TALKING
ABOUT, TAKE ME THROUGH THAT
AND GIVE ME THE COST
ESTIMATE ON THAT.
I REALIZE THAT'S NOT
DEVELOPED AS FAR.
OKAY.
THE IDEA HERE IS WHAT WE
CALL THE NORTHEAST ARM, AND
IT'S TO — ALSO A —
SOMETHING THAT WOULD BRING
YOU FROM THE BRIDGE CHRKS IS
PERHAPS — BRIDGE, WHICH IS
PERHAPS 10 OR 12 FEET UP IN
THE AIR, DOWN TO GRADE HERE
AND CROSS UNDER CESAR CHAVEZ
AS SHOWN ON THIS DIAGRAM.
ANOTHER VERSION WOULD BE TO
TAKE IT ACROSS AND FLY OVER
CESAR CHAVEZ AND COME AROUND
AND HAVE THIS ACCESS TO THE
BOWIE STREET UNDERPASS.
SO THE TWO VERSIONS OF HOW
YOU WOULD GO ON THE
NORTHEAST ARM UNDER OR OVER
CESAR CHAVEZ.
SLUSHER: DO YOU HAVE A
COST ESTIMATE?
2 TOIN 2 IS IT?
[INAUDIBLE]
UNDERPASS WE THINK WOULD
BE ABOUT 4 MILLION.
AND THE FLYOVER ABOUT
2.2 MILLION.
AND AGAIN, JUST TO
UNDERSCORE THE POINT THAT WE
ARE RECOMMENDING FURTHER
STUDY TO NARROW THOSE
NUMBERS DOWN.
SLUSHER: AND CAN YOU TELL
ME HOW MUCH FURTHER IS IT
TO — IF THEY WERE GOING TO
GO TO SIXTH AND LAMAR, IF
SOMEBODY WAS HEADING THAT
WAY, HOW MUCH FURTHER A
DISTANCE IS IT NORTHEAST
THAN NORTHWEST?
JUST A SECOND.
LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET THAT
INFORMATION.
WE HAVE A GRAPHIC,
COUNCILMEMBER, THAT I THINK
WILL HELP TO ANSWER YOUR
QUESTION.
ALL RIGHT.
LET ME — LET'S BRING THIS
UP HERE.
ALL RIGHT.
THIS PARTICULAR — THIS
PARTICULAR VERSION HERE IS
DISTANCE OF 1650 FEET TO
FIFTH STREET, AND IT IS THE
NORTHWEST ARM.
THEN IF WE LOOK AT SEVERAL
OTHER VERSIONS HERE RKSZ
THIS VERSION OF THE
NORTHEAST ARM IS 2190 FEET.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN
SEE THE LINES OR NOT FROM
THERE, THE YELLOW LINE IS
THE BRIDGE AND THEN IN THIS
CASE IT TUNNELS UNDER AND
FOLLOWS THE — ESSENTIALLY
THE UNION PACIFIC
RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE.
THAT DISTANCE IS 2190 FEET.
SLUSHER: OKAY.
THEN THERE ARE SEVERAL
OTHER VERSIONS.
BUT THAT'S THE —
SLUSHER: LET ME BACK UP.
ON THE 2.2 MILLION FOR THE
FLYOVER AND 4 FOR THE
UNDERPASS, HOW FAR DOES THAT
TAKE IT, THAT FIGURE?
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE
GETTING IT AS FAR AS THE —
WHEN WE CALCULATE THE PRICE
ON THE NORTHWEST SECTION.
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE
BOWIE UNDERPASS.
SO YOU HAVE TO ADD
THE $700,000 TO BOWIE
UNDERPASS TO GET TO YOU THE
SAME POINT THAT THE 5.6
WOULD GET YOU.
SLUSHER: 700,000 MORE ON
TO THOSE.
SO IF YOU TAKE THOSE FIGURES
AND ADD 700,000, THEN YOU
ARE AT ABOUT THE SAME
LATITUDE THAT YOU ARE WITH
THE NORTHWEST ARM OR
SECTION.
OKAY.
AND DOES THE NORTHEAST ONE
REQUIRE THE REALIGNMENT OF
CESAR CHAVEZ?
ONE VERSION WOULD MAKE IT
EASIER IF YOU DID IT WITH
THE REALIGNMENT OF CESAR,
BUT WE THINK YOU COULD DO IT
WITHOUT THE REALIGNMENT OF
CESAR CHAVEZ.
REALIGNMENT WOULD MAKE IT SO
THE TUNNEL WOULDN'T HAVE TO
GO AS DEEP.
YOU COULD DO IT WITHOUT
REALIGNING.
OR WE THINK SO.
THERE WOULD BE SOME FURTHER
STUDY, AGAIN, AS I SAID
ABOUT ALL OF THESE, BUT
THAT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING AT
THIS POINT.
SLUSHER: AND THEN IF YOU
GET, LET'S SAY THE NORTHEAST
ONE, WOULD — CAN THAT
CONNECT TO THE SHOAL CREEK
TRAIL WHICH WE'RE WORKING ON
RIGHT NOW, CORRECT?
I BELIEVE THAT IS
CORRECT, YES.
SLUSHER: WHICH GOES UP TO
ABOUT I THINK IT'S 38th
STREET.
SHOAL CREEK TRAIL DOES GO
I THINK THAT FAR AT THIS
POINT IN TIME, ASBESTOS YOU
SAY, WE'RE WORKING ON THE
PIECES FROM CESAR CHAVEZ TO
ABOUT SIXTH.
.........
>SLUSHER: RIGHT NOW IT
GOES TO SIXTH AND 38th.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE RIGHT NOW,
MAYOR.
MAYOR GARCIA: ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?
I HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION.
FROM A FER SUSPECT I HAVE OF
WHAT MAKES FOR SENSE IN A
FIVE-YEAR TIME FRAME AND
WITH REGARD TO EXTENSIONS OF
THE BRIDGE, DOES IT MAKE
MORE SENSE GIVEN THE FACT
THERE IS MORE DEVELOPMENT ON
THE WESTERN SIDE, DOES IT
MAKE MORE SENSE TO DO THAT
FLYOVER GIVEN WHAT WE HAVE
THERE AS OPPOSED TO THE
OPTION OF REDEVELOPING OF
SEAHOLM, WHICH IS, FROM WHAT
I CAN TELL, A LONGER TERM
PROSPECT?
WE DON'T HAVE THE INVESTORS,
YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE THE
MONEY, WE DON'T HAVE THE
APPLICATIONS TO THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
WHEREAS ON THE WESTERN SIDE
WE HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT AND
WE HAVE ALREADY THE PLANS
FOR WHOLE FOODS TO COME ON
LINE.
MAYOR, LET ME GIVE YOU A
SHORT ANSWER, AND I WOULD
LIKE TO ASK JIM ADAMS IF HE
WOULD HAVE AN OPINION HE
WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS.
MY FEELING IS THAT THE
NORTHEAST ARM IS BETTER
ANYWAY.
EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE CORRECT
ABOUT SOME ADDITIONAL
DEVELOPMENT THAT IS MOVING
FORWARD THAT WE ASSUMED
WOULD BE THERE EVEN WITHOUT
KNOWING ABOUT WHOLE FOODS.
AND THAT IS BECAUSE IT TAKES
YOU NOT ONLY TO SEAHOLM ON
THE NORTHEAST LINE, BUT IT
TAKES YOU BACK TOWARDS
DOWNTOWN AUSTIN AND TOWARDS
THE — ALL THE DEVELOPMENT
THAT IS OCCURRING IN THAT
DIRECTION.
AND WE THINK THAT ACCESS AND
THAT DIRECTION IS THE
SUPERIOR ONE AT THIS POINT
IN TIME.
BUT LET ME ASK JIM FOR HIS
VIEWS, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
I WOULD CONCUR WITH THAT
AND NO RESPONSE TO THE SHORT
TERM, THE REAL IMPEDIMENT TO
THE NORTHWEST CONCEPT IS
GETTING UNDER THE LAMAR
BRIDGE AND DOING THAT IN A
SAFE MANNER.
AND SO AS THE NEW HYBRID
SOLUTION HAS BEEN SUGGESTED,
I THINK PEOPLE ARE
RECOGNIZING THE BOWIE STREET
UNDERCROSSING MAKES A LOT OF
SENSE FOR A SHORT-TERM
SOLUTION.
AND THEREFORE WE HAVE TO
START LOOKING AT WHAT IS THE
BEST WAY BETWEEN THE PFLUGER
BRIDGE AND THE BOWIE STREET,
WHETHER YOU GO THIS WAY OR
THIS WAY, AND AS AUSTIN
POINTED OUT, THE EASTERN
ALIGNMENT GIVES US A LOT OF
OTHER BENEFITS.
IT GIVES US THE BENEFIT OF
NOT NECESSARILY HAVING TO DO
A PIECE OF FRUBLGHT THAT IS
GOING TO BE FLY —
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS GOING
TO BE FLYING HIGH IN THE
AIR.
IT GIVES US A PIECE OF
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL
LINK TO FUTURE PUBLIC
ATTRACTIONS DOWNTOWN.
SO AGAIN, WHILE MORE
ENGINEERING MIGHT NEED TO BE
DONE, WE'RE VERY OPTIMISTIC
ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF THAT
EASTERN ALIGNMENT
ACCOMPLISHING A LOT OF
DIFFERENT THINGS IN ADDITION
TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN
ACCESS.
MAYOR GARCIA: THE REASON
I ASK IS BECAUSE MOST OF THE
SPEAKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT
THE WESTERN.
RIGHT.
AND —
MAYOR GARCIA: I DON'T
KNOW EXACTLY —
WELL, WE UNDERSTAND THE
DESIRE TO CREATE —
PROPONENTS OF THE WESTERN
ARMS ARE REALLY TRYING TO
GET THE MOST DIRECT
[INAUDIBLE] FROM PFLUGER
BRIDGE UP THE LAMAR
CORRIDOR.
I THINK THAT'S A VERY
IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE.
BUT UNLESS WE CAN ACCOMPLISH
IT IN THIS LOCATION, WHICH
IS VERY DIFFICULT AND
EXTENSIVE, AND IF WE ARE
GOING TO BE RELYING ON THE
BOWIE STREET UNDERCROSSING
FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE,
IT'S OUR BELIEF THAT WE CAN
GET AS GOOD A NORTH-SOUTH
SELECTION FROM GOING IN THIS
DIRECTION AND PROMOTE
PEDESTRIAN LINKAGE WHICH WE
DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THROUGH
ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ON
THE LUMBERMEN'S SITE.
SO WE HAVE A DIRECT AND
CONVENIENT PEDESTRIAN
LINKAGE NORTH-SOUTH.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU.
MAYOR PRO TEM.
GOODMAN: I'LL JUST SAY I
THINK ALL OF THAT IS GOOD
LONG-TERM PLANNING, BUT
WE
SEEM TO HAVE LOST THE FOCUS
FOR FINISHING AS MUCH AS WE
CAN IN THE SHORT TERM
QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
AND THE FOCUS NO LONGER
SEEMS TO BE MUCH ON THIS AS
A COMPONENT OF THE
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING THAT
IT HAD TO BE.
IT'S NOT THAT I FAULT IN ANY
WAY THE SEAHOLM PLANS AS IT
EXISTS RELATIVE TO SEAHOLM
TAKEN REUSE, BUT THIS WAS
SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS A GREAT
MANY THINGS ALL AT ONCE.
ONCE UPON A TIME WHEN WE
THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO
PERHAPS HAVE A WAY TO
ACQUIRE THE LUMBERMEN'S
TRACT, WE HAD IDEAS.
I BELIEVE MISS MA CAN DID A
PRETTY GOOD DESIGN TO TRY TO
GET SOME GRANT MONEY, IF I'M
NOT RECOLLECTING IN ERROR,
WHERE IT REALLY WAS A MULTI
MOLS TRANSPORTATION HUB.
THAT IS GONE AND THERE ARE
ELEMENTS AND IT'S ADDRESS
UNDERSTAND A PIECEMEAL KIND
OF WAY, BUT NOT IN ANY
URGENT, IMPLYING IMMEDIATE
COMPLETED WAY.
WHICH BOTHERS ME.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE JUST
KIND OF OKAY WITH LEAVING
THIS LONG TERM TO HAPPEN
SOME DAY, AND THE LARGE
DOLLAR AMOUNTS CERTAINLY
PRECLUDE ANY IMMEDIATE
COMPLETION OR EVEN APPROACH
TO COMPLETION BY US AT THIS
TIME.
SO I REALLY THINK THAT THE
NORTHWEST ARM IS ONE OF THE
MOST CRITICAL POINTS OF THIS
PART OF TOWN, AND I DON'T —
I DON'T SEE ANY REAL FOCUS,
ANY REAL URGENCY, ANY REAL
COMMITMENT TO THAT.
AM I INACCURATE WHEN I SAY
THAT?
I THINK THAT WHAT WE ARE
SAYING IS THAT WE WOULD LIKE
TO STUDY THE NORTHWEST ARM
AS WELL AS THE NORTHEAST
ARM.
I THINK THE FUNDING CAN BE
THERE.
WE WILL BE BRINGING TO YOU
IN A FEW WEEKS A
RECOMMENDATION FOR THE
ALLOCATION OF THE QUARTER
CENT FROM CAP CAP AND SOME
OF THAT IF YOU WISH —
CAPITAL METRO, AND SOME OF
THAT CAN BE USED ALMOST
IMMEDIATELY WITH RESPECT A
DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE
NORTHWEST ARM BY DOING
ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING WORK.
I THINK WE UNDERSTAND THE
URGENCY OF COUNCIL WITH
REGARD TO THIS AND WE'LL BE
PROPOSING A WAY OF FUNDING
IT VERY SOON, VERY QUICKLY.
AND OUR PROPOSING TO MAKE
SOME FINAL ENGINEERING
ANALYSIS OF ALL OF THESE
DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.
MAYOR GARCIA: FURTHER
QUESTIONS, ANYBODY?
COMMENTS.
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN.
WYNN: I GUESS WHAT IS
STAFF ASKING OF US TONIGHT?
WE'RE ASKING — THERE IS
AN ORDINANCE IN YOUR PACKAGE
FOR CONSIDERATION THIS
EVENING.
AND THE ORANGES — THE
ACTIVE PART OF THIS
ORDINANCE IS ADOPT THIS
MASTER PLAN AS AMENDMENT TO
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO THE
CITY OF AUSTIN.
AS A PLAN AMENDMENT, IT
IS — IT IS NOT A DIRECTION
TO DO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF
THESE AS THEY ARE LAID OUT
HERE, BUT IT WOULD BE A
DECISION ON THE PART OF
COUNCIL ESTABLISHING THE
SENSE OF DIRECTION THAT YOU
WANT, GIVING STAFF I THINK
THE DIRECTION TO MOVE
FORWARD ANNUAL BRING VARIOUS
COMPONENTS OF THIS PLAN
FORWARD TO THE EXTENT WE CAN
FIND THE FUNDING AND WE CAN
DO THE ENGINEERING WORK
BASED ON THAT PLAN.
SO IT WOULD BE AS ALL PLANS,
SIMPLY ESTABLISHES A ROUGH
BLUEPRINT FOR THE STAFF OR
THE COMMUNITY TO FOLLOW.
MAYOR GARCIA: ARE THERE
ANY MOTIONS ON THIS ITEM?
SLUSHER:, I WOULD
RATHER — WE JUST GOT THIS
YESTERDAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A
LITTLE MORE TIME TO STUDY
THE PLAN BEFORE I VOTE TO
ACCEPT IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT
REQUIRES A MOTION TO
POSTPONE.
MAYOR GARCIA: IT WOULD
FACILITATE IT.
SLUSHER: OKAY.
WELL, WHAT IS THE THING OF
THE COUNCIL?
DO WE WANT TO HAVE THIS BACK
BEFORE OUR BREAK, FOR LATE
MAY AND JUNE?
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE IT BACK
BEFORE THEN?
I KNOW THAT I WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE THE —
MAYOR GARCIA: WHY DON'T
WE BRING THIS ITEM BACK UP
THE 23rd.
SLUSHER: THAT'S FINE.
I WOULD SAY WE WORKED HARD
TO GET THE CAPITAL METRO
QUARTER CENT AND I'M GOING
TO BE SUPPORTING SOME OF
THAT MONEY GOING TOWARDS AN
EXTENSION.
I'M NOT CONVINCED THAT THE
NORTHWEST ARM YET.
I'M LEANING MORE TOWARDS THE
NORTHEAST ARM.
I'M ALSO LEANING TOWARDS
SOMETHING ELSE OTHER THAN AN
ARM, BUT WE CAN WORK ON THAT
LATER.
MAYOR GARCIA: BETTER THAN
FLYOVER.
SLUSHER: I GUESS.
MAYOR GARCIA: YOU SAY
FLYOVER, YOU KNOW, YOU LOSE
SOME — SINCLAIR, BLACK.
YOU KNOW, THAT WORD IS NOT
IN THEIR VOCABULARY.
>SLUSHER: I MOVE TO
POSTPONE ANY ACTION UNTIL
THE 23rd OF MAY.
GOODMAN: SECOND, MAYOR.
MAYOR GARCIA: DISCUSSION?
YES, COUNCILMEMBER.
THOMAS: IN COMING BACK ON
THE 23rd, THERE WAS SOME
SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS MADE
EARLIER BY MR. CUNNINGHAM.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF STAFF
COULD LOOK INTO THAT ABOUT
THE ABATEMENT BECAUSE THAT'S
IMPORTANT.
MAYOR GARCIA: OKAY.
COUNCIL, THAT'S FINE.
WE'LL PASS THAT ALONG TO
AUSTIN ENERGY AND HAVE
SOMETHING FOR YOU.
GOODMAN: AND MAYOR, WHAT
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE STAFF
LOOK AT AND BRAINSTORM ON IS
RELATIVE TO THOUGHTS ABOUT
WHAT WE COULD IMMEDIATELY
WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE
OVERALL DESIGN IN THE LONG
TERM, LOOKING AT SOMETHING
THAT IS CONCEIVABLY
DOINGABLE WITH GRANTS OR
WHAT HAVE YOU, WHATEVER
RESOURCES WE CAN BRAIN...... BRAINSTORM
ABOUT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN
FOR COMPLETING A TRAVEL
PATH.
I WON'T USE ARM.
BUT ONE THAT ACTUALLY
ENHANCES THE TRANSPORTATION
COMPONENT THAT IS — ARE A
PART OF LOOKING AT THIS
WHOLE PIECE OF LAND.
I'VE SAID BEFORE OF COURSE
THAT I WOULD MUCH RATHER
HAVE THE CITY IN SOME WAY
FIND RESOURCES TO ACQUIRE
THIS PIECE OF LAND AND
RELATIVE TO SOMETHING HE
SAID, THERE'S NEVER BEEN A
LACK OF LEADERSHIP ON THE
COUNCIL ON THIS OR ANY OTHER
PART OF THE SEAHOLM, BUT
THERE DOES NEED TO BE
FOLLOWERS WHEN LEADERS TAKE
A POSITION ON WHAT THEY
THINK IS THE BEST IDEA AND
OTHERS DISAGREE WITH THEM.
SO IT'S PRETTY WORTH LESS TO
LEAD WHERE NOBODY IS
FOLLOWING.
SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS
FIND SOME ANSWER THAT MAY
ADDRESS ALL OF THE NEEDS
THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
TODAY INCLUDING SEAHOLM LONG
TERM, LONG-RANGE PLANS.
AT THIS POINT THE BLUEPRINT
IS A LITTLE TOO ROUGH FOR ME
TO SEE HOW THAT COORDINATION
IS EVEN PLANNED FOR THEM.
SO IF THERE ARE IDEAS THAT
YOU ALL HAVE DISCUSSED, I
WOULDN'T MIND HEARING ABOUT
THOSE BEFORE THIS COMES BACK
UP FOR A VOTE.
>WYNN: MAYOR?
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN.
WYNN: IT SEEMS TO ME
IF — BEFORE WE DECIDE WHEN
TO BRING THIS BACK, I KNOW
ONE OF THE COMMENTS
MR. LIBRACH MADE WAS THE
OBVIOUS NEED FOR SOME
ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS ON THE
DIFFERENT EXTENSIONS OF THE
BRIDGE.
I MEAN HOW QUICKLY COULD
THAT BE DONE?
I WOULD HAVE TO HAZARD A
GUESS HERE.
MY GUESS IS THAT THAT IS
THREE TO SIX MONTHS S. WORTH
OF WORK.
WYNN: OKAY.
THANKS.
MAYOR GARCIA: THERE'S A
MOTION AND SECOND TO BRING
THIS ITEM BACK FOR COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION ON MAY 23rd.
EVERYBODY READY TO VOTE?
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED SAY NO.
MOTION CARRIES.
AND WE'RE COMING BACK ON THE
23rd.
IN THE TIME BEING — IN THE
MEANTIME, MR. LIBRACH, IF
YOU COULD VISIT WITH —
PARTICULARLY THE
COUNCILMEMBERS THAT HAVE
JUST COME OFF THE CAMPAIGN
TRAIL WHO HAVE HAD A BUSY
TIME.
I CERTAINLY WILL BE HAPPY
TO DO THAT.
MAYOR GARCIA: THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
ITEM NO.34.
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS.
THOMAS: I HAVE A COUPLE
OF QUESTIONS ON 34.
MAYOR GARCIA: APPROVE A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
EXECUTION OF A CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT WITH CHASCO
CONTRACTING, ROUND ROCK,
TEXAS, FOR THE REMAIN
OVERNIGHT PAD EXPANSION TO
IS THE SOUTH EDGE OF THE
TERMINAL APRON AT THE
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $1,856,588.
THOMAS: COULD YOU EXPLAIN
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
DBE AND MWBE COMPLIANCE ON
THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT?
YES, SIR.
I'M LENO RIVERA.
COUNCILMEMBER, THE — THIS
IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED
PROJECT, AND AS SUCH IT
FALLS UNDER THE DBE PROGRAM.
HOWEVER, WERE TO YOU LOOK AT
THE GUIDELINES FOR THE DBE
PROGRAM AND COMPARE THOSE TO
THE GUIDELINES WE HAVE FOR
OUR M.B.E. PROGRAM, THEY
READ ALMOST IDENTICALLY.
THERE IS VERY LITTLE
DIFFERENCE, REALLY NOTHING
OF ANY REAL ESSENCE
DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE TWO
PROGRAMS.
THOMAS: OKAY.
THE PARTICIPATION ON THE —
THE CONTRACTS ON THE
M.B.E. — I MEAN DBE, I SEE
THAT IT'S ZERO ON A COUPLE
OF AREAS.
IS THAT — THEY DO HAVE A
GOOD FAITH EFFORT, RIGHT?
YES, SIR.
AND ACTUALLY UNDER THE DBE
PROGRAM, THERE NORMALLY IS
NO DISTINCTION AS FAR ASSET
NIS TI OR GENDER IS
CONCERNED.
WE HAVE PROVIDED THAT BREAK
DOWN FOR KNEW THE RCA
DOCUMENT AT COUNCIL'S
REQUEST.
YOU ARE CORRECT, WE DO NOT
HAVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND
ASIAN-AMERICAN, NATIVE
AMERICANS REPRESENTED IN THE
SUBCONTRACTOR ROLES.W>?
THOMAS: SAID THEY DID
FOLLOW THE COMPLIANCE PLAN
AND THE GOOD FAITH EFFORT.
THAT THERE JUST WASN'T ANY
RESPONSE OR DO YOU KNOW
THAT?
COUNCILMEMBER, THIS —
THIS CONTRACT HAD A
ADVERTISED GOAL OF 26.7% DBE
PARTICIPATION.
AND IT CAME IN WITH ONLY 8.3
DBE PARTICIPATION.
THERE WAS A TOTAL OF A
POTENTIAL 73, 73
SUBCONTRACTOR BIDS THAT THE
PRIME COULD HAVE RECEIVED.
AND IN FACT, WE RECEIVED —
OR THE PRIME CONTRACTOR
RECEIVED ONLY 10 BIDS.
OF THOSE 10, SEVEN WERE
AWARDED SUBCONTRACTS.
ONLY THREE DBE
SUBCONTRACTORS SUBMITTED
BIDS TO THIS PRIME WERE NOT
AWARDED SUB CONTRACTS.
WE COMPARED THOSE BIDS TO
THE BIDS OF THE SUCCESSFUL
SUBCONTRACTORS, AND WE
VERIFIED THAT INDEED THOSE
THREE THAT WERE NOT AWAWRD
ADD SUBCONTRACT HAD HIGHER
PRICES THAN THEIR
COMPETITORS.
THOMAS: OKAY.
I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS.
AT THIS TIME.
MAYOR GARCIA: FURTHER
QUESTIONS FOR MR. GUERRA?
IS THERE ON MOTION ON THIS
ITEM?
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS.
WYNN: I'LL MOVE APPROVAL.
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN MOVES
APPROVAL.
IS THERE A SECOND?
SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
SLUSHER.
DISCUSSION?
WYNN: MAYOR?
I'LL JUST POINT OUT
OBVIOUSLY WE'RE NOT PLEASED
WITH THE OVERALL — WITH THE
AWARD, BUT AS MR. BURR
REPAIR RA JUST POINTED OUT,
70% OF THE MINORITY FIRMS
THAT SUBMITTED A BID FOR
SUBCONTRACTING WORK WERE IN
FACT AWARDED WORK.
FRANKLY, THAT'S PRETTY
REMARKABLE.
BUT SADLY ONLY 10 MINORITY
FIRMS SUBMITTED
SUBCONTRACTS.
WHEN WE CAN'T CONTROL THAT.
WE CAN'T CONTROL HOW BUSY
THESE FIRMS ARE OR WHICH
JOBS THEY CHOOSE TO BID ON.
Z IT'S A GOOD EFFORT AND I
THINK THIS PROJECT NEEDS TO
MOVE FORWARD.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD,
THIS IS ACTUALLY A REBID OF
THIS ACTUAL PROJECT T FIRST
TIME THIS PROJECT WAS BID,
THE FIRST THREE LOW BIDDERS
WERE FOUND NONCOMPLIANT AND
STAFF OPTED TO REBID THE
PROJECT.
THOMAS: ONE MORE
QUESTION, MAYOR, THEN I'M
GOING TO LET THIS ALONE.
THAT SOUNDS GOOD ABOUT 70%,
BUT WHEN WE HAVE A LOW
PERCENTAGE OF ASIAN AND
AFRICAN-AMERICAN, I WOULD
THINK THAT — I SAY THIS ALL
THE TIME, AND I HAVE TO
BRING THIS UP AGAIN ALL THE
TIME.
IT'S LIKE A BROKEN RECORD.
IT APPEARS THAT IF WE HAVE
THAT LOW PERCENT, NO PERCENT
HERE, I WOULD FEEL — I'M
SURE THERE ARE POLICIES THAT
ALLOW STAFF TO DO AS BEST AS
THEY CAN AS FAR AS GETTING
THOSE PARTICULAR NUMBERS UP
TO — [INAUDIBLE] TO ZERO TO
SOME PERCENTAGE.
COUNCILMEMBER, WHAT DSMBR
CAN DO AND DOES IS ENCOURAGE
OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO
BID.
HOWEVER THRKS IS A PROJECT
WHERE THE STATISTICS WILL
SHOW THAT WE HAD VERY LITTLE
PARTICIPATION FROM OUR
CERTIFIED COMMUNITY.
MAYOR GARCIA: [INAUDIBLE]
DSMBR WOULD BE LIKE WE HAVE
DONE WITH SOME OF THE
SUBCONTRACT GROUPS, THAT WE
BRING THEM IN TO YOUR OFFICE
AND ALLOW THEM TO
OPPORTUNITY TO GET
ASSISTANCE SO THAT WE CAN
EMPOWER THOSE GROUPS TO BE
ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY BID AND
GET CONTRACTS.
AS IT REGARDS
AFRICAN-AMERICANS, WE
HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO
THAT.
WE HAVE HAD I GUESS FOR LACK
OF A BETTER TERM, WE HAVE
FAILED IN THAT RESPECT.
SO OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO LOOK
AT WAYS OF DOING IT BETTER.
FACILITATING, EMPOWERING, SO
WE CAN GET THOSE FOLKS IN.
WE WANT THEM — THE INTENT
OF THE WMBE POLICY OF THE
COUNCIL IS TO FACILITATE THE
PROCESS SO THEY CAN GET SOME
BUSINESS.
AND, YOU KNOW, MAKE A
SUCCESSFUL ENTRY INTO THE
INDUSTRY.
THAT WOULD BE MY REQUEST.
I KNOW THAT YOUR OFFICE
WORKS ON IT, BUT I THINK WE
HAVE SOME MODELS.
I THINK WE'VE DONE
RELATIVELY GOOD WORK, I
DON'T WANT — I WANT TO TAKE
OUT THE RELATIVELY, GOOD
WORK WITH THE HISPANIC
CONTRACTORS.
THAT MODEL CAN BE USED TO
ASSIST THE ASIAN AND
AFRICAN-AMERICAN
CONTRACTORS.
MAYOR, WE HAVE AN
INITIATIVE GOING ON AT THIS
TIME WHERE WE'RE DOING
EXACTLY AS YOU ARE
DIRECTING.
MAYOR GARCIA: THERE IS A
MOTION AND SECOND ON THE
TABLE.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED SAY NO.
THOMAS: NO.
MAYOR GARCIA: IT PASSES
ON A VOTE OF 6-1 WITH
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS VOTING
NO.
ITEM NO.38.
38 IS A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING NEGOTIATION AND
EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO
THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICESy#ojN
AGREEMENT WITH TURNER,
COLLIE & BRADEN FOR 615,937.
THIS WAS PULLED BY
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS SO I'LL
RECOGNIZE COUNCILMEMBER
THOMAS AT THIS TIME.
THOMAS: MAYOR, I HAVE THE
INFORMATION FROM YOUR STAFF
AND MY STAFF SO UNLESS YOU
HAVE SOME OTHER QUESTIONS TO
ASK, MY QUESTION HAS PRETTY
WELL BEEN ANSWERED.
MAYOR GARCIA: IRRELEVANT
GUESS THIS IS ONE OF................................................OSE CONTRACTS — I THINK
THIS IS — HOW MANY
AMENDMENTS HAVE WE HAD NOW?
THIS IS THE SIXTH
AMENDMENT.
MAYOR GARCIA: SIXTH
AMENDMENT.
AND WHY DO WE HAVE THAT MANY
AMENDMENTS IN A CONTRACT
LIKE THIS WHEN WE KNOW — IS
THE SCOPE OF THE WORK
CHANGED DRAMATICALLY?
MAYOR, THE OVERALL SCOPE
OF THE WORK HAS NOT CHANGED.
GOING INTO PRELIMINARY
ENGINEERING DESIGN, WE KNEW
ULTIMATELY WHAT WE WERE
GOING TO BUILD WITH THIS
PROJECT.
THE APPROACH THAT WE HAVE
TAKEN AND THAT IS REFLECTED
HERE BY THIS RCA WHERE WE GO
IN AND WE FUND WITH THE
INITIAL CONTRACT ONLY THE
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING
DESIGN, IS A ACTION THAT WAS
TAKEN AT COUNCIL REQUEST
YEARS AGO.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE
CAME IN WITH VERY LARGE
CONTRACTS WHERE WE TRIED TO
SCOPE OUT THE ENTIRETY OF
THE PROJECT ALL THE WAY FROM
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING ALL
THE WAY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES.
BUT BECAUSE THE PURPOSE OF
THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING
IS TO LOOK IN DETAIL AT WHAT
ULTIMATELY SHOULD BE
CONSTRUCTED, VERY OFTEN THE
STAFF RECOMMENDATION IN THE
ABSENCES OF THAT VERY
DETAILED PRELIMINARY
ENGINEERING STUDY WOULD MISS
THAT TARGET NUMBER AT THE
END.
AND SO WE FOUND OURSELVES
HAVING COME TO COUNCIL IN
THAT INITIAL AWARD REQUEST,
COMMUNICATING TO COUNCIL
THIS WAS FOR THE TOTALITY OF
THE PROJECT, AND THEN
SUBSEQUENT TO THE PROGRESS
OF THE WORK, HAVING TO COME
BACK AGAIN AND SAYING WE
NEED MORE MONEY FOR THIS
PROJECT TO FINISH IT OUT.
AND SO WHAT WE WERE
INSTRUCTED BY THEN-COUNCILS
TO DO WAS TAKE A STEPPED
APPROACH SO THAT WE KNEW
WITH BETTER ACCURACY HOW
MUCH THIS PROJECT WAS GOING
TO COST PHASE BY PHASE.
MAYOR GARCIA: NOW, THIS
PROJECT STARTED IN 1996, I
THINK.
CORRECT?
1995?
THAT IS CORRECT.
MAYOR GARCIA: AND WE HAVE
SINCE CHANGED THE GOALS OF
THE ORDINANCE, HAVE WE NOT?
ARE WE STILL USING THE SAME
GOALS THAT WERE APPLICABLE
AT THE TIME?
WE ARE STILL USING THE
VERY SAME GOALS THAT WE HAD
WITH DAY ONE OF OUR
ORDINANCE.
WHAT WE HAVE CHANGED,
HOWEVER, IS THAT
APPROXIMATELY LATE 1999,
2000, WE DID START GOING
WITH OUR ETHNIC SUBGOALS.
PRIOR TO THAT TIME ALMOST
WITHOUT EXCEPTION WE WERE
USING TWO GOALS.
WE WERE USING A M.B.E. GOAL
AND A W.B.E. GOAL, WHICH IS
HOW THIS UNWAS LEFT.
BUT IN LATE 1999, 2000, WE
STARTED USING THE ETHNIC
SUBGOALS ALSO PROVIDED BY
THE ORDINANCE.
BUT THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL
NUMBERS OUT OF THE
ORDINANCE.
MAYOR GARCIA: WE HAVE NOT
CHANGED THOSE NUMBERS SINCE
1995?
THAT IS CORRECT.
MAYOR GARCIA: I THOUGHT
WHEN WE DID THE AVAILABILITY
STUDY WE CHANGED SOME.
WE HAVE DONE A
AVAILABILITY STUDY, HOWEVER,
WE HAVE NOT TAKEN ACTION ON
IT.
BUT THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL
NUMBERS FROM 12995.
MAYOR GARCIA: SO NOT ONLY
THE ORIGINAL NUMBERS, THIS
WAS IN EFFECT GIVE TEN
ADOPTED ORDINANCE.
THAT IS CORRECT.
MAYOR GARCIA: THAT IS
CORRECT.
OKAY.
FURTHER QUESTIONS.
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ: I GUESS I JUST
HAD A QUESTION ABOUT —
MAYOR GARCIA: LET ME SAY
THAT THERE IS ONE SPEAKER ON
THIS.
IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE
SPEAKER WHILE YOU COLLECT
YOUR THOUGHTS.
ALVAREZ: YES, GO AHEAD.
MAYOR GARCIA: MIKEL
MEETS.
MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM AND
COUNCILMEMBERS, I'M NIKEL
MEAD.
I REALLY ONLY SIGNED UP IN
CASE YOU HAD QUESTIONS THAT
WERE NOT QUESTIONS FOR YOUR
STAFF.
I REPRESENT TURNER, COLLIE &
BRADEN.
BUT INSTEAD WERE THINGS THAT
YOU NEEDED TURNER, COLLIE &
BRADEN TO ANSWER FOR YOU,
AND SO WE REALLY — I REALLY
SIGNED UP JUST SO WE WOULD
BE FOLLOWING YOUR
PROCEDURES.
SO IF THERE ARE ANY
QUESTIONS, I'M AVAILABLE AND
HERE TO ANSWER THEM.
MAYOR GARCIA: ARE THERE
QUESTIONS FOR MS. MEAD?
NANG..... THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
MAYOR GARCIA: YOU ARE
GOING TO EARN YOUR FEE
WITHOUT HAVING TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS.
[LAUGHTER]
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ.
ALVAREZ: I DON'T KNOW WHO
THIS IS FOR, MR. OLIVARES OR
MR. REEKS, BUT WE SEE
SEVERAL AMENDMENTS.
IN AMENDMENT 2 IT WAS
13.5 MILLION ALMOST.
AND SO I GUESS WHAT WE'RE
SAYING IS THAT THE GOALS FOR
THAT AMENDMENT WERE THE SAME
AS THE ORIGINAL GOALS?
THAT IS CORRECT.
ALVAREZ: AND NOW IN TERMS
OF THOSE ORIGINAL GOALS,
DOES IT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
THE FACT THERE IS GOING TO
BE AN AMENDMENT SUCH AS
AMENDMENT 2, WHICH IS
APPARENTLY THE GREAT — THE
CONSTRUCTION PART OF THIS.
SO WHEN WE AWARDED THE
ORIGINAL CONTRACT, WHAT WAS
THAT AMOUNT I GUESS IS WHAT
I'M WONDERING.
THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT, THE
ORIGINAL AWARD WAS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD OF 1.4 MILLION,
JUST AS THIS INDICATES.
THAT NUMBER THERE, I DON'T
KNOW IF IT WAS THE AWARD
AMOUNT OR IF IT WAS THE
ACTUAL NEGOTIATED FEE FOR
THAT FIRST AGREEMENT.
BUT AT THE TIME THAT WE CAME
TO COUNCIL WITH THE FIRST
AWARD, THIS CONSULTANT HAD
THE ENTIRETY OF THE TEAM
ALREADY PULLED TOGETHER THAT
WAS GOING TO TAKE THIS
PROJECT FROM LIMB NEAR
ENGINEERING ALL THE WAY
THROUGH — PRELIMINARY
ENGINEERING ALL THE WAY
THROUGH CONSTRUCTION
SERVICES.
SO THE PERCENTAGES ASSIGNED
TO THIS PROJECT FROM THE
VERY BEGINNING WERE STRAIGHT
OUT OF THE ORDINANCE, AND IT
WAS CONTEMPLATED THEY WOULD
BE APPLIED TO THE ENTIRETY
OF THE PROJECT.
ALVAREZ: OKAY.
PETER RIECK, DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC WORKS.
IF I COULD ADD, BASICALLY
WHEN WE RECEIVE REQUESTS FOR
QUALIFICATION, WE PUT IN THE
R.F.Q. ITSELF WHAT THE GOALS
FOR THE SPECIFIC PROJECT
ARE.
AND CONSULTED ANTS SUBMIT AS
PART OF THEIR QUALIFICATION
THE PERCENTAGE THAT THEY
COMMIT THEMSELVES TO FOR
M.B.E. PARTICIPATION FOR THE
DURATION OF THE PROJECT.
SO WHILE WE COME TO YOU
INITIALLY WITH A SPECIFIC
ALLOCATION FOR THE FIRST
PHASE OF SERVICES, THE
INTENT AS EXPRESSED BY THE
CONSULTANT AND BY STAFF
BASICALLY IS TO MAKE THAT
PERCENTAGE APPLY TO THE
ENTIRE CONTRACT.
AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE
BOTTOM OF THE SECOND PAGE OF
YOUR RCA, YOU WILL FIND FOR
THE OVERALL CONTRACT AMOUNT
SO FAR, WE ARE JUST AT ABOUT
OR WAY ABOVE THE GOALS
STATED FOR THIS
SOLICITATION.
ALVAREZ: I UNDERSTAND
THAT.
I MEAN-BECAUSE I MEAN THEY
HAVE BASICALLY DONE WHAT
THEY IMHITD TO DO FROM THE
BEGINNING.
— COMMITTED TO DO FROM THE
BEGINNING.
SO I GUESS THE OTHER
QUESTION THEN IS I GUESS IF
THERE WERE TO BE AN
EXPANSION OF THIS FACILITY,
THEN WHY WOULD THAT — AGAIN
NRKS TERMS OF THE GOALS,
WHICH GOALS APPLY THEN
BECAUSE THE EXPANSION WAS
NOT NECESSARILY PART OF THIS
SOLICITATION, BUT I KNOW
THAT IN OTHER CASES AT LEAST
WE'VE DONE THAT AS AN
AMENDMENT TO OR — I'VE
GOT — I'M CONFUSED HOW WE
HANDLE THAT SORT OF THING.
IF THERE IS EXPANSION OF A
FACILITY FACILITY, WOULD THE
GOALS REMAIN THE SAME OR
WOULD WE GO WITH THE MORE
EXRENT GOALS?
WELL, AGAIN, THIS IS
STILL THE SAME PROJECT THAT
WE CAME FORWARD TO TO
COUNCIL IN 1996.
AS MR. RIVERA EXPLAINED, THE
FIRST PRELIMINARY
ENGINEERING PHASE WAS
BASICALLY TO DEFINE THE FULL
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, BUT WE
HAD A GENERAL IDEA AS TO
WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE IN
ORDER TO BRING THE PLAN UP
TO STANDARD AND TO EXPAND IT
TO THE SIZE THAT WAS NEEDED.
SO THIS IS REALLY NOT ANY
SCOPE CHANGE.
I GUESS IF YOU WERE
SOLICITING NOW FOR ANOTHER
EXPANSION PHASE BEYOND THIS,
WE WOULD GO OUT WITH THE NEW
SOLICITATION GOALS FOR
PARPTIONZ.
WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW,
AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE
AMENDMENTS, FOR INSTANCE, WE
HAVE THREE CONSTRUCTION
PHASE SERVICES AMENDMENTS,
AND PART OF THE REASON WE
ACTUALLY DECIDED AT ONE
POINT TO BREAK THE CONTRACT
IN SEVERAL SMALLER CONTRACTS
IN ORDER TO ALLOW FOR
POSSIBLY BETTER
PARTICIPATION BY SMALLER
CONTRACTORS THAN WOULD HAVE
BEEN POSSIBLE IF THE WHOLE
PROJECT WOULD HAVE BEEN THAT
AS ONE.
WHICH IN TURN CAUSES
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION
PHASE SERVICES AMENDMENT TO
THE CONTRACT AND THIS IS THE
THIRD ONE OF THOSE.
ALVAREZ: OKAY.
WELL, I THINK — I MEAN
MAINLY I WAS ASKING THE
QUESTION FOR CLARIFICATION,
AND I THINK WE MAY WANT TO
LOOK AT THIS MAYBE ON THE
COMMITTEE LEVEL.
THANK YOU FOR THE
INFORMATION.
THOMAS: MAYOR, MAY I ASK
ONE QUESTION?
MAYOR GARCIA:
COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS.
THOMAS: WHOEVER WANTS TO
ANSWER IT.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
THE WHOLE PROJECT?
TOTAL AMOUNT?
THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION
COST IS ESTIMATED TO BE
ABOUT $100 MILLION.
THE ENGINEERING COST IS
ESTIMATED AT
ABOUT $30 MILLION TOTAL.
THOMAS: OKAY.
THE SCOPES ON THE M.B.E.
THAT YOU ALL USED BACK IN
'95, ARE YOU ALL USING THE
SAME ONES IN THIS TIME
AROUND?
THE — THE DISBOALS THAT
WERE ESTABLISHED ORIGINALLY
FOR THE PROJECT, AND AS
MR. RIVERA EXPLAINED WERE
8.6% M.B.E. AND 18.2% W.B.E.
THROUGH THE LIFE OF THIS
CONTRACT FOR ALL OF THE
AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN
PROCESSED THROUGH NOW, WHICH
AMOUNT TO ABOUT 17 AND A
HALF MILLION OR 18 MILLION,
THE PARTICIPATION HAD BEEN
8.56% JUST ABOUT AT THE GOAL
M.B.E., AND 30.74% W.B.E.,
WHICH IS ALMOST, YOU KNOW,
60% ABOVE THE ESTABLISHED
GOAL.
SO THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF
THIS CONTRACT, THE GOALS
HAVE BEEN MET OR EXCEEDED.
THOMAS: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
MAYOR GARCIA: FURTHER
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?
ARE THERE ANY MOTIONS ON
THIS?
ALVAREZ: MOVE APPROVAL,
MAYOR.
WYNN: SECOND.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION BY
COUNCILMEMBER ALVAREZ.
WHO SECONDED THAT?
WYNN.
COUNCILMEMBER WYNN.
DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED NO.
MOTION CARRIES ON A VOTE OF
6 TO ZERO.
WITH COUNCILMEMBER GRIFFITH
OFF THE DAIS.
COUNCIL, THAT'S ALL THE
ITEMS WE HAVE ON TONIGHT'S
AGENDA.
APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S
PATIENCE ON THIS AND I'LL
ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO
ADJOURN.
SLUSHER: SO MOVED.
MAYOR GARCIA: MOTION AND
I SECOND THAT.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THE PREVIOUS MOTION DOESN'T
HAVE DISCUSSION.
End of Council Session Closed Caption Log
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