>> Mayor Watson: I proclaim March 5, 1998, as Ballet Austin Day in Austin. I call on all citizens to join me in recognizing that Ballet Austin, originally the Austin Ballet Society, has been a part of our community since 1956. In recognizing Lambrose Lambru as artistic director and the upcoming world ballet Ulysses based on Homer's play. Welcoming all of our esteemed visitors from Cyprus and Greece to Austin, asking everyone to enjoy ballet Austin, tomorrow night will be the opening of Ulysses, this is signed by me, Mayor Kirk Watson of the City of Austin, thank you very much for all of you -- all you do for our community.
>> Thank you. [Applause] thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council members, I was just going to pay a bill and leave [laughter], but this happened. I would like to first and foremost thank all of the dignitaries in the Cyprus and Greek delegations that flew in, along with my dear dear, dear family, sister, two sisters and brother, members of the board, friends, media people, everyone that has participated in this event has made me a very proud and humble individual, as you know Ulysses took 20 years to get home, maybe I will make it to my own place in the next hour or so. It has been a thrill, a challenge and an honor to greet my own family and people from Cyprus and Greece to my home here in Austin. This City has embraced me and Ballet Austin, our esteemed Mayor here has participated in event that he never thought possible. [Laughter].
>> Mayor Watson: Try not to talk about that. [Laughter].
>> Yet again I -- I brought it up. I am honored, deeply appreciative. I hope that you can all make it to the ballet. I have spare tickets for those of you who came here on business. If you are interested, call me and we will get you there. Thank you very much. [Applause]
>> Please, please, yes. I'm sorry, I should have introduced you. Go ahead and step up there.
>> Thank you. Since lambru created a rather friendly, relaxed atmosphere, I would like to share with you what I read recently about the definition of an opera. Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and instead of bleeding he sings. [Laughter].
>> Mayor Watson: I like that.
>> On behalf of the government of the republic of Cyprus and the ambassador in Washington whom I am representing, I would like to thank Mayor Watson, the City Council, and the citizens of Austin, Texas, for the hospitality, for their generosity and for their extremely warm welcome. The ties that are now flourishing between ballet Austin and the Republic of Cyprus are excellent, they will continue and beyond the cultural dimension, which these ties include now, there was really no reason why they cannot be expanded to include tourism, business and other factors that will be beneficial to both communities. With these brief comments in mind, I would like to thank you once again for your generosity and your kindness, thank you. [Applause]
>> Mayor Watson: thank you very much, really appreciate it. I just say it's been wonderful having representatives of the government here and others to visit and be part of this. It's been a wonderful thing for -- when lambrose came here as our artistic director in '89, he immediately started developing the connection between the City of and you and Cyprus. In '94, a delegation was there in Cyprus and there was a performance and at that time then Governor Ann Richards sent a proclamation saying that she hoped that there would be soon an opportunity for us to reciprocate the great hospitality that our delegation received over there. I can say that we've had a good time doing that. I will look forward to tomorrow night, the opening of the ballet. So thank you all very much. [Applause] Our next proclamation, be it known by these presence that I, Kirk Watson, Mayor of the City of Austin, Texas, do hereby proclaim, March 1998 as national social work month in Austin. And I call on all citizens to join me in recognizing that social work is a vital profession, which often goes unappreciated in our society. In recognizing the difficult tasks faced every day by social workers and invaluable services which they provide and in recognizing the social work profession for its efforts both to help victims of violence and to eradicate the causes of violence throughout Austin and nationwide. In honoring all of our local social workers for their dedication to helping families and members of this community and this year's outstanding achievement, signed Kirk Watson, Mayor of the City of Austin, please come forward.
>> I want to thank you very much for recognizing March as social work month. I would like to introduce some honorees we have today. Elliott Naishtat is social worker of the year. And representative Walter Richter is public citizen of the year and two other people -- Lynn Ripansky is the school social worker of the year, attends the University of Texas and mac mclester is lifetime achievement who is not with us at the moment and did I forget everyone? Okay. Thank you -- would you all like to say a few words?
>> Mayor Watson: you tell me. If that microphone is empty long I will start talking.
>> It's rare that I am speechless. But I -- I am anticipating that after being told about this occasion that I actually should -- should I be prepared to say something? they said, oh, no, just be there. So this is why if -- if my remarks are brief and not adequate is because I was told that I am going to make my speech when they have this big presentation here in Austin. But needless to say, this is one of the nicest tribute that an old fellow could receive. And what I have done, particularly at southwest Texas, my alum -- my university, I did out of the warmest feelings of my heart and it has been a joy to be associated with that group and meet with them regularly as a member of the advisory group. But I will just say seriously as someone that has been a watcher of the governmental process and the legislative process, I have -- I can sincerely say that I have never in my own experience seen a time in our community and our state and in our nation, actually, where the kinds of work, the kind of dedication that we have in our social workers, that it was needed more or was more important. I hope that the community will realize that maybe a little bit more than they have. And give them the kind of support that they deserve. Thank you very much. [Applause]
>> About an hour ago I had the privilege of recognizing members of the delegation from Cyprus. But I left out a few things, that's why I am here now. [Laughter] I am kidding. I just wanted to thank the members of the social work profession for honoring me, a lot of people don't know that social work also encompasses policy, planning, evaluation, organizing, advocacy and I use all of that training and those skills as a member of the Texas house of representatives. I want to salute all of you, welcome the group from Cyprus again, and thank the profession of social work for all that it does for people who are vulnerable and need help. Thank you. [Applause]
>> Mayor Watson: Ms. Gomez here? please come up. You know, one of the things that is the best part of this job is getting the opportunity to work with dedicated employees at the City of Austin. I have found that the folks that work on behalf of the citizens of this City are dedicated and very true public servants and today we get the opportunity to honor one of those dedicated public servants with a distinguished service award. It reads: in acknowledgment and appreciation for her untiring efforts and unselfish service to our community during her 28 years as a dedicated employee of the City of Austin, Ms. Gomez is deserving of public acclaim and recognition, signed by me as Mayor of the City of Austin on behalf of the entire City Council of Austin, Texas. Congratulations, and we appreciate all that you have done for us over the years. [Applause]
>> Mayor Watson: please step up and say something.
>> I would just like to say a couple of words. I started at the model City clinic in 1974. That clinic was set up for -- during the war on poverty years. And I went did to do a practicum and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed working for the community. It was just a wonderful rewarding experience. And so I just felt that I had to go work for the City at that clinic and so they -- when I graduated, they hired me to work in that clinic. And I never lost my passion for ensuring that this community has access to reproductive services and family planning services and that we try to do you will that we can to reduce teenage pregnancy. It's a very serious problem and I never lost that passion for planning, implementing, researching for data to see what would make the best sense and I encourage the City to continue doing that and I want to thank Mayor Watson, the City Council members and the City manage for this award. Thank you. [Applause]
>> Viola is very modest about her accomplishments, but I did want to say that we are stemming the tide on teen pregnancy and in large part to her efforts. I think that the work that we are doing concentrated in particular neighborhoods that are at high risk and we are showing in those neighborhoods we are achieving results. In large part to Viola's leadership. She continues to promote and advocate for access to both teen pregnancy prevention services and family planning services for the citizens of our community. She went on -- she's not retiring, she's going on to a new career to get her master's in public health and will come back and serve the community in the future, I am sure. We will look forward to that. [Applause]
>> Mayor Watson: now we have time for some music. Michael Reed
Barker began his affair with Austin music in 1968. When he worked in
association with pioneering rock acts, the 13th floor elevators, and
the bubble puppy on international artists record. Writing tunes and
performing from Texas to California, for over 30 years, Michael
founded his own publishing company in 1990: Brain Aflame Music. In
1996, he started Rumplestiltskin records and last year he released a
CD called cool bleez. He operates blazes, an intimate non-alcoholic
venue on sixth street. There he hosts shows which spotlight Texas
song writers like himself. He's been a believer in dreams and as a
believer in dreams he's now leaving on royalties from songs such as
Valley Far Below and I Gave My Soul to You. Mike I get to declare
today March 5, 1998, as Michael Barker day in Austin, and I call on
all citizens to join me in recognizing the many outstanding
contributions by the local music community toward the development of
Austin's social, economic and cultural guess community and in
recognizing the dedicated efforts of artists which further Austin's
status as the live music capital of the world, signed Kirk Watson,
Mayor of the City of Austin, ladies and gentlemen, Michael Barker. (
(Music)
(Music)
music playing (Music)
(Music)
) (Music)
it seems to me that the beautiful people have all been gone for too
long a while. (Music)
(Music)
(Music)
once I was one of the beautiful people (Music)
(Music)
. (Music)
we loved and we laughed and it lifted my heart. (Music)
(Music)
>> And I'll never know why the beautiful people misunderstood
from the start. We wanted free love, love for each other. In spite of
what people might claim. Though with our love we knew all men were
brothers like John Paul, George, and Jesus said, among many, many
other names. And now I miss the beautiful people. Oh, how I wished
the whole world knew what we once knew. (Music)
(Music)
. (Music)
and I am looking for some beautiful people, I know I see one in you.
(Music)
(Music)
(Music)
you know, I miss the beautiful people, oh, how I wish the whole world
could know what we once knew (Music)
(Music)
. (Music)
I am looking for some beautiful people, I know there's one in you.
(Music)
(Music)
(Music)
I want to live with beautiful people, I'm sure there's one in you.
(Music)
(Music)
[applause]
>> Garcia: did you give him a lapel pin?
>> Mayor Watson: we did. Thank you very much. I ask everyone to please rise and join with us in our invocation. We will be led today by Danny Hobby; thank you for being here. Dear heavenly Father, we come to you today with thanksgiving in receiving your bountiful blessing. We ask you to be with our Mayor, City Council, City manager and staff and those participating in the meeting today. Our prayer is that you continue with your wisdom and your guidance in this decision-making process. May we strive to see the beauty in each day and the potential in every person. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.
>> Mayor Watson: Amen, thank you very much. Changes and corrections to the agenda for March 5, item no. 1 should read approval of minutes for regular meetings of January 22, 1998, February 5, 12, instead of 11, and 26, 1998. Item no. 25, approving the implementation of a pilot project to remove cyber patrol software filtering programs should read in the amount of $6,300. Item no. 29, approval resolution designating the March 25, 1998. work session as a transportation work session. Items 36 and 39, public hearing and renaming of Oak Cliff Drive to Arnold Drive is postponed. 36 And 39 are postponed. Item no. 40, approve the Parks and Recreation Department's master plan was not reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. It was not reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Items set for a time certain, items no. 30 through 34 set, which are zoning items, set at 4:30. Item no. -- Public hearing on the permanent temporary use agreements through dedicated parkland known as Town Lake, Red Bud Isle, Deep Eddy and Sand Beach Reserve for the construction of the transmission main is set at 6:00. The public hearing on Park and Recreation Department's master plan entitled Long-Range Plan for Facilities to Comply with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant requirements is set at 7:00. The first item on our agenda is to approve the minutes for regular meetings of January 22, 1998, and February 5 and 12 of 1998. There is a motion?
>> Garcia: so move.
>> Mayor Watson: Motion made by the Mayor Pro Tem, seconded by Councilmember Griffith. Any discussion? hearing none -- hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed say no., notion motion carries with Councilmember Lewis off the dais and Councilmember Goodman absent. That takes us to our citizen communications, Claude Rivers Sr. first, followed by Dorothy Turner, Velma Roberts and Leonard Lyons I don't know.
>> Thank you Mr. Mayor, City Council. This is a declaration of works, it's the declaration of the name of Yahweh to the again tiles and to give testimony to the messiah. There is but one god, lord of hosts and his redeemer, that redeemer is yashul of Nazareth that you call Jesus. I Claude Rivers, Sr., do declare to you that I was sent by the angel Gabriel, messenger of god of Yahweh, god of hosts to perform these works, to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, to feed the hungry, to bring in the poor who are cast out and to cover the naked. Being led by the holy spirit in these works and after some months appointed as a priest in the order of [inaudible] by God most high. These works have been rejected by the religious authorities of this society, most of the rabbis, automatic metropolitan ministries, Austin Baptist Association, the diocese of Austin, various independent church bodies. Cursed is he who does the work of Yahweh deceitfully. These works have been rejected by the governmental bodies, the commissioners court, the Mayor, most of the City Council. Cursed be every idolater, cursed about every homosexual and cursed is he who calls upon the name of Yahweh. May he bring these plagues upon you, incurable sores, boil and leprosy and [inaudible] on the Colorado. I call this City into repentance, turn to Yahweh and be saved, amen, amen, thank you.
>> Garcia: thank you, Mr. Rivers. Let me ask City clerk did we also approve the February the 5 meeting minutes?
>> yes.
>> Garcia: okay. Those were ready?
>> yes.
>> Garcia: okay. Ms. Dorothy Turner. Following Ms. Turner, Ms. Velma Roberts.
>> Ms. Turner is not here.
>> Okay.
>> Good evening, my name is Velma Roberts and my concern today is the Central City Entertainment Advisory Board. I was told or there was rumor that that would be -- that item would be on the agenda today regarding the board members, its appointments and what I would like to say is that you need to go ahead and allow the people who have applied to serve on the board who has an interest and a commitment and care about the East Austin community so that that board can get on with its work. Jennifer Cole is off the board now, she served her time, has an interest in coming back to that board and if anybody should be on that board it's Jennifer, she's the one that organized young people for the youth, for the youth and by the youth set up something to start the mechanism for the board. She was there day one. And it's not fair that she not be appointed to that board. She started with the project, she should end with that project and motto put on that -- her on there is insensitive, I understand the personal vendettas and political hits because somebody perceived that Jennifer is a friend of Eric Mitchell. Get it through your head, you won, let's get on with this project, let the people serve who has an interest, a commitment, who will show up for the meetings. That's been a lot of the problem with these bored, people are not -- with these boards, people are not showed up for the meetings. You have messed up the ara board, leave the Central City Entertainment Center Board alone. Let's get on with our work.
>> Garcia: thank you Ms. Roberts. Mr. Leonard Lyons I don't know, following Mr. Lyons, Mr. Guess Pena.
>> Thank you Mayor Pro Tem. I want to say some kind words about a process that's going on now. And I am afraid the al although indicateds won't get said accolades won't get said in the jubilation of completion so I am taking a week premature for notice. I have been working on the ground transportation ordinance ever since I was on the urban transportation commission and sharing the ground -- chairing the ground transportation committee. I'm now on the aviation board, ground transportation committee is my chair, also, I am not speaking for either. I am speaking as a citizen that's been participating in the process. I sat in at least on 10, maybe 12 meetings having to do with ground transportation with the staff. Peter came on board, apparently, decided he was going to take charge, and finish it, whatever it was. He has done one heck of a job. He is doing a good job. We haven't solved all of the problems, we haven't solved decriminalization, but I don't think it's within his purview to solve it, he can certainly assist. The point of my coming here is within the next few weeks you will be getting a draft of the ground transportation ordinance, I am tickled to death with the way everything has worked out and the changes that have been made and I am looking forward to a half a dozen more changes that are pending that perhaps we will hear about it in the -- in the last final meeting, but Peter deserves an al although indicated for this. He took -- al lo -- allocade, he took control of it and brought it to solution and I thank you.
>> Garcia: thank you, Mr. Lyons I don't know, Mr. Gus Pena. Gus Pena? Mr. Jimmy Castro?
>> good afternoon, Mayor pro tem, Councilmembers and Mr. Garza. I am here on behalf of the Austin chamber Travis County chamber, in north Austin, before I start I would like to remind everyone to take the time to vote in the primary elections Tuesday, March the 10th. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, one in every 3 seniors and retirees votes in elections. And the number one reason why parents and grandparents vote in elections is for the future and the safety of their children and grandchildren. Because seniors and retirees know that this voter registration card is the gold called. Seniors and retirees decide who is going to get elected and who is not going to get reelected. Keep it in mind the top two pirates of any elected or appointed official is the help and public safety of all of its citizens, health and public safety, especially our men and women in uniform. I would like to encourage everyone to attend this year's 60th annual Travis County livestock show and rodeo at the Travis County exposition center between March 12th and 22nd. Today the livestock show and rodeo is a grand scale celebration that attracts tens of thousands of visitors. This event raises over $500,000 a year to benefit nearly 1,000 kids annually for scholarships and education. Travis county students will have a chance to further their education thanks to these efforts. This particularly applies to those who might not otherwise have had the golden opportunity. A favorite event of the livestock show and rodeo and for the entire family includes judging of the live -- hundreds of live animals by members of the 4-H club and the Future Farmers of America. The hundreds of young people who wear those blue and gold jackets of the ffa wear them with pride! and indeed the future promises to be bright because agribusiness in Texas is good business. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you Mr. Castro, John mackovic milan, greg earthquake rick son, John Kunkle.
>> Thank you. Ericson.
>> I am John mcMillan, president of the progressive proper hib best religion, prohibitionist religion, the phone number is 304-4599. I am here today in regard to my February 28th letter to the Mayor Watson. Which I mentioned my strong support for expanding the recycling program here in Austin. I would like to urge the City of Austin to quickly as possible proceed on requiring each apartment complex in Austin to participate in a City-wide recycling effort by contracting with a private contractor to pick up recyclable items from the front of that apartment complex, also, of course, to provide special separate bins for the recyclable items in front of that complex. At present as we all know the -- nearly all of the people who participate in recycling in Austin are homeowners. And we have private citizens who participate. Apartment tenants are largely excluded from that opportunity. The advantage toys recycling the program to include apartment tenants are new mexico reduce, number one reduced demand on the City's landfill operation, which, of course, means reduced costs on disposing of additional trash at the landfill. Number two, it would promote greater equity of opportunity for apartment tenants in Austin. At present if people rent their housing in Austin an apartment complex, they are relegated to second class status in regard to the opportunity that is to participate in curb-side pickup in the recycling program. The other advantage from expanding this recycling program is that it would protect the City's legal position. It's very apparent that right now, having homeowners treated with the kind of curb side pickup where the apartment tenants are not given that opportunity, on a curb side basis in their apartment complex means that the City may be at risk of litigation against the City, stemming from that inequity. Thank you. Nature thank you, Mr. McMillan.
>> Greg Ericson, then John Kunkle.
>> Hello, everybody, my name is greg he should rick son, I am a representative of -- greg ericson. One of our aims is to expose corruption on the local, state and national level. We have a very large organization and we are moving forward. We are with Texas best seminars. Nobody wants to talk about that legal word, everything looks so nice on the surface, corruption is the name of the game folks, corruption, I believe the City of Austin is corrupt and Texas best seminars does, too. I can't tell you which one of these people is corrupt, but I can tell you the system is core run and we are going to prove it. We are already doing down at the Travis County commissioners court and we are coming here every week. Here are some things that can show you. Mayor Watson, do you believe that annexing massive amounts of land without the will of the voters is government out of control?
>> Mayor Watson: you want specific answers today? are you going to come down here and start calling people core run and trying to cross examination them.
>> I said the system was corrupt.
>> Mayor Watson: go ahead and make your three minute presentation. If you want to visit, I will visit with you sometime.
>> I would like a public answer, please.
>> Mayor Watson: obviously I believe that following the law is an important aspect to annexation. If you have been in Austin for the last couple of months, you know that we have gone through an annexation process. And the law does not provide for a vote.
>> Why aren't you doing something to change the law on behalf of the people clearly massive amounts of people came down to talk to you and said they did not want it! the buck stops here. There will be no sidestepping with Texas best seminars, we are not -- we are on to that. And it old owe you will not sidestep us.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you very much, I appreciate the fact that you are here, but we are not going to engage in a debate. You have a minute left.
>> I have another question.
>> Mayor Watson: do whatever you would like to do.
>> Do you believe that holding secret meetings is government out of control, which you just got out of, executive session, do you think that's for the will of the people?
>> Mayor Watson: it wasn't much of a secret if you knew about it.
>> I couldn't be there. Would I be able to come in and listen to what you are saying?
>> Mayor Watson: sir, we are not going to do this.
>> I am asking you a question.
>> Mayor Watson: we are not going to --
>> would I be able to come in that meeting.
>> Mayor Watson: no, sir in accordance with the law.
>> I will let the public decide for themselves, that is a secret meetings.
>> Mayor Watson: I would like to say it was good to hear from you Mr. Ericson, I would like to hear from you soon. Speaking to someone that was in one of those annexed areas, Mr. Kunkle. [Laughter].
>> Yes, my name is John Kunkle I am here today representing the annexed area in Balcones Village and Spicewood portion that was part of the annexed area. You know there's a fine line between apathy, letting the system work and helping make the system work. And I would hope that you take my remarks in the context of the third. So what I would like to do this afternoon I just spend a moment, tell you how we think that you are doing in the annexation, implementation process. The fire station is good, it's working. You all passed the ordinance waving the street cut fees for the oak wilt, that's good. You all did the 10 year moratorium on the capital recovery and hookup fees for the Balcones sewer folks, other sewer people, that's good, for that you deserve credit. You hired 10 companies to work on the sewer designs, one of which I am told is working in the sewer design for Balcones Village, I give you credit for that. But there's some stuff that I think you need to work on. Number one, item 15 b on your agenda that I am going to speak to more, is the item that deals with getting the overall project management of the sewer projects under control of a single company. I have some real concerns about what you are doing in that regard, but I will save those comments until item 15 b comes on the agenda. Talking about sewers, I want to comment on the sewer rate inequity situation in Spicewood, a situation that you have been acquainted with ever since this process of annexation began. In fact I suspect that you are acquainted with it before you even started the annexation process. I am told by water and wastewater staff that they have a recommended solution, that their intent is to proceed with the solution unless you folks tell them to the contrary. My suggestion to you is you ought to encourage them to move quickly on it. Which leads me to another point: the concern that I heard expressed over in water and wastewater is it's going to take some time to get this done, fixing the sewer rates. They are trying real hard. Well, our neighbors now have their bills from the City of Austin. Their new water bills. Their new franchise fees on their cable things and our neighbors today are asking. How come if the City is so efficient in charging the fees to us as new residents they can't fix the sewer rate problem at the same rate of speed? I tell them the City folks are trying hard. And they remind me the story of the football coach, watched his defensive lineman getting run over by the offensive half back, he had complete marks on his chest, he finally turned to a kid on his chest, he said go in there and replace Billy Joe, stop him from running over the tackle, he said, coach, I will try. The coach said, sit down, bubba is trying. We need to get moving on fixing the sewer rate problem. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you, Mr. Kunkle. Council, we need to pull items for discussion or leave them on the consent agenda. Items available for the skad are items no. 11, Consent agenda are items 11 through 29, I will entertain discussion regarding which items should be pulled for discussion. Mayor pro tem?
>> Garcia: Mayor, on item 12, I had asked the staff a question about annexation and they said that the tract will not be annexed until wastewater service is available, then it says staff will provide a date response, I don't know whether they are ready to provide that response.
>> Will you help us out?
>> yes, this particular item is on east side of I-35. Just south of bluff springs road. It is an area that we will be looking at in a three year an sex nation plan. We do not have a date specific for this particular tract or this area, but it's one of the areas generally that we are looking at for our immediate future annexations.
>> Mayor Watson: additional questions?
>> Garcia: well, once we get -- once we get water and wastewater service there, what in essence is the other criteria that will be used to determine if we are going to annex them or not?
>> unof the major criteria will be looking at fire service, and it is an area that we are aware of.
>> Garcia: okay. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: any items that need to be pulled from consent agenda? spell on 12 and 13.
>> Mayor Watson: 12 and 13 have been pulled from the consent agenda. Councilmember Lewis?
>> Lewis: I would like to pull item 16 Mayor?
>> Mayor Watson: any additional items? consent agenda will be item no. 11, 14, 15 A, 15 b, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. Item no. 28, It's my understanding that the motion for -- to the skwagd would an postponement for one week; is that correct?
>> yes.
>> Thank you. Item no. 29, So -- item no. 29 Would be on the consent agenda.
>> Garcia: Mayor? on item no. 15 B, we have on the consent agenda. That really cannot be on the consent agenda.
>> Mayor Watson: that's why I paused, I will pull that put is on the discussion. One more time, pulling for discussion items 12, 13, 15 b and 16. So the consent agenda, I will entertain a motion, after the reading is 11, 14, 15 a, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 for a postponement of one week, and 29. Is there a motion?
>> Garcia: so move.
>> Mayor Watson: seconded by Councilmember Spelman. Is there any discussion? we have some people that have signed up to speak. The first -- actually we have one person signed up to speak, Mr. Workman? Mr. Worthman? he has signed up and has provided a statement that I will make available to all of you all that you will be able to read, but according to our rules you need to be present to speak, we sometimes if somebody leaves a short statement on the back of the card we will do that, but -- this is a little more lengthy than what we typically do in that regard. So I will do is make sure that you all get a copy of his statement. Is there any discussion from the Council? motion has been made and seconded to approve the consent agenda as read, no further discussion, those in favor say aye, opposed say no., motion carries with Councilmember Goodman absent. That takes us to item no. 12. I will recognize Councilmember Spelman.
>> Spelman: I would like to ask a question, if I could.
>> Mayor Watson: I'm sorry?
>> Spelman: I would like to ask a question if I could. Hi, Randy, items 12 and 13, the same question for both of them, I may as well ask them both at the same time. These are both septic systems?
>> yes, these are being proposed, asking for water service and are proposing a septic tank type of systems, right. Councilmember Spelman they will be taking our water and providing their own wastewater system.
>> On site, that's correct.
>> Spelman: in the event that they were to annex them, then we would or we could take over control of that septic system, that would be one of the possibilities?
>> well, as far as taking over their control of the septic system, that is typically not done. That would still be the private ownership responsibility.
>> Spelman: okay. Is it both 12 and 13 are industrial?
>> one I think -- let me make sure that I have this right. I don't know if 12 is decidedded yet, 13 is industrial; is that correct that's correct. I'm sorry, 12 is industrial. 13 Is uncertain.
>> Spelman: septic system for industrial uses is relatively unique, isn't it?
>> it is, it depends on the amount of industrial waste that is produced there. If it's more of a manufacturing where it's typically you just have restrooms and that wouldn't be anything special. They could put on an on site system and treat it, certainly if there's any toxics, I think that's where you get into troubles because it would damage the septic system.
>> Spelman: do we know what industrial use they have in mind?
>> no, we don't, it's somewhat speculative here in terms of what their actual details are.
>> Spelman: it could conceivably be a water intensive process that could again rat toxics?
>> I can't answer that. It potentially could, but if it is the septic system would not work.
>> Spelman: what provision do we have for inspection of their septic system?
>> we don't as the City utility have that, that would be under the auspices of the City-county health department. They would have to get any approval through them up to a certain level of waste disposal. If it's above I think 5,000 gallons per day, they have to get a permit from the TNRCC.
>> Spelman: for 5,000 gallons per day or greater outflow of wastewater, they would have to get a permit from TNRCC and would be susceptible to health department inspection.
>> Greater than 5,000 would be responsible to Texas state inspection. Less than that certainly is the City health, county.
>> Spelman: okay. As you know, you were there, there was some discussion of the water and wastewater commission about what alternatively having them take a look to check out it's in working condition, not pumping toxics into an aquifer, stuff like that.
>> Right the concern besides just the inability to zone and do some planning, that's one of the concerns the commission has certainly had on these outside City services is the proposal that how much control can we have over a private septic system. And currently within the rules we really don't other than the City-county health rules that if something is going on with it, they have the right to go in and require that to be fixed. That's one of the things that we are going to look at, as we made the presentation a few weeks ago, perhaps there could be some additional regulations in order to shore that up some more, having more routine checks of those type of systems, but that's not in place currently.
>> Spelman: okay, thanks.
>> Mayor Watson: do we have a motion? motion has been made by Councilmember Spelman to approve items 12 and 13th, seconded by the Mayor pro tem, any discussion?
>> Garcia: I have one quick question. According to the minutes that we received from the water and wastewater commission of the member of -- meeting of February the 4th, and I have vote of 3, 2, 0, 1, then the paragraph below it -- below it says the water and wastewater recommends to approve service extension. What kind of a vote is required before a commission like this can send a recommendation?
>> this has kind of been an ongoing discussion. The rules that the commission set up basically back in 1981 or thereabouts, they established that four votes would be a majority or be a recommendation. So even though they have a quorum and the majority of the quorum vote for it, the rules that the commission themselves set up says you still have to have four votes in order for it to be a recommendation to go forward, what the commission has done when it's not four votes, Mr. Spelman remembers this, most times it's to go ahead and forward that on to Council as for your information of how everyone voted on it. So when you get a 3 vote for, it's under their rules not a majority vote recommendation, but it's a -- it indicates a majority of the quorum that's there.
>> Garcia: when they say recommends, they don't really mean that?
>> well, it's recommended to forward that resolution on to the Council.
>> Garcia: this one says to approve.
>> Yeah.
>> Garcia: recommends to approve.
>> Well, that was the item as it appeared on the agenda. Let me see, recommends to approve ... Which did not pass by a four vote. See at the very top, please note that the following resolution was reviewed by the commission, was not a majority recommendation of the commission, so we are trying to clarify that, if we put that on the agenda of the commission, they didn't consider it last night or probably come up next month to try to get this thing clarified because it's always been confusing.
>> Garcia: okay, thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: motion made and seconded, any further discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries, items 12 and 13 are approved. That takes us to item no. 15 B.
>> Garcia: Mayor, on this one this is a two part kind of thing. The first part would be for the Council to vote on reconsidering the vote of last year and I am going to move for reconsideration on that one.
>> Slusher: second.
>> Mayor Watson: motion made by the Mayor pro tem. Mr. Kunkle is out here giving me a parliamentary advice. Mr. Kunkle you are absolutely right. I am not going to disagree with you. The motion would need to be made by somebody who voted in favor.
>> Garcia: I did. It was 7-0.
>> Mayor Watson: that's right, it was 7-0.
>> Mayor Watson: that's what I get for following Mr. Kunkle's advice. [Laughter] just for the record what happened was there was a vote that failed that -- then on the second vote which was to grant the contract it was a 7-0 vote. So you are right, Mayor pro tem. I apologize.
>> Garcia: no problem.
>> Mayor Watson: you know I am always for that public participation thing, sometimes I go too far with it. [Laughter]. The motion has been made and seconded to reconsider the negotiation and execution of professional services agreement with Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., of Austin, Texas.
>> Garcia: let me explain for those like Mr. Kunkle that have a deep interest in this one, if this motion fails then the Councilment carry on -- I mean the staff will carry on with the decision of last week. If this motion passes, then we get to vote again, that's when you think I are signed up to speak.
>> Mayor Watson: you have raised a good point. We have some people that have signed up to speak and since we are having two motions I want to make sure that we give people the opportunity to speak on the motion which they wish to be heard. Let me -- let me just do that. I will run through these people, John Kunkle wishes to speak on the motion to reconsider. Peter Nolan? Sue Michael? Ann Young? Robina Jackson, Lynn Mays, let me ask it this way. Is there anybody here that doesn't want to speak on the motion to reconsider? okay. Motion has been made and seconded to reconsider. We will go to public comment on that. Mr. Kunkle you are our first speaker.
>> I am speaking on my own behalf as opposed to a representative of our homeowners association, frankly I was apprehensive about speaking on this issue because I need your help in solving some homeowners association problems and what I am about to say is somewhat critical of some of you, but you have to stand up and speak.
>> Slusher: that ship has already sailed. [Laughter].
>> Apart from the fact that there's a three week delay in proceeding with the sewer plans, in the virmtd we are in which water and wastewater is already under the gun, my concern is by taking this action you are sending exactly the wrong message any contractor who would like to in good faith do business with the City of Austin. The rules for the bid are the rules that they were. You all participated way back when, even if not personally, it said in the rules. When I heard Councilmember Spelman ask Councilmember Garcia what it was that would cause him, Mr. Spelman to go against the staff recommendation and by the way the recommendation of seven citizens that you appointed to the water and wastewater commission, the answer he got was not that they couldn't do the work, not that they were incapable, but he didn't like the way that the interview process worked and as best that I could tell, didn't like the fact that people got points for not doing a great amount of work with the City. I don't know exactly how to express that. Both -- all of the companies had a chance to show up at that interview process, gus. You could have been at the interview process. The fact that one company was interested enough and quite frankly smart enough and done enough staff work to show up is I think a positive sign. Maybe they were better salesmen. I don't put that against someone. The notion of being upset, Councilmember Spelman, -- Councilmember Lewis with the City Manager's response for the points with not doing points with the City, you seemed to be a little subpoena yet about that, I saw you on TV that you smirked when you heard the answer that the purpose was to spread the yard around. Frankly Mr. Lewis I would have thought that you of all people would be interested in programs that are designed to spread work among companies and not limit them just to large or particularly smaller group of companies. Spreading work around isn't a bad idea. I guess my major concern, just as a citizen, is if I came to do business with the City, and you all got down at the end and said, well, we don't like the answer so we are going to change the award and change the process, I think that I would have a hard time. So that's my message to you today: you had a dedicated staff, you just congratulated a dedicated public servant. Huh seven citizens and they all voted the same way. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: Peter Nolan.
>> Good afternoon, I am here on behalf of Malcolm Pirnie, I am here to ask you once again to whatever the decision is to please make it on the facts that you discover. The issues that are raised here today as to whether this contract should be reconsidered because of one of Malcolm Pirnie's subcontractors, sue michelle of CPM is married to an engineer in the waste department who is completely unconnected with this project. The first question is did her husband, honey michelle exert undue influence or unfair influence on the committee which recommended Malcolm Pirnie. The second question is did honey knee michelle possess insider information which she might have passed to her wife which she might have passed to mall com person knee. The facts are honey knee michelle avoided any association with this contract, any association, so he could not either exert any influence or even have any information to pass on. The second fact: your own staff says that this is what occurred. Third fact: no person will come before you and say michelle had any insider information or even attempted to exert any influence. Next fact: sue michelle was never told of any inside fact and the last fact is Malcolm Pirnie never received an inside fact. I think it's also relevant that Malcolm Pirnie received the name of CPM from the City in November of 1997 as one of the wbe firms that we should contact to meet the wbe. Goals. Following your instructions we contacted firms on that wbe. List and we were impressed by CPM, we checked their references and it's very important to note that a couple of those references came from two Austin water and wastewater projects from 1997, in other words this is nothing new. This is something which has been occurring for a long time. We added CPM to our team. The issue of sue Michelle being married to an engineer with water and wastewater is now not new. It has existed at least since 1997. On this particular project, as you will recall, two months ago there was anonymous letter that was sent dated January 5th, two months ago, that made the same allegations. It was delivered to staff, some of the Councilmembers, it says specifically questioned unfair influence, specific preference or conflict of interest because sue is married to hane. This was settinged -- investigated by staff at that time, investigated by the City attorney's office at that time and they decided that there was absolutely neither an ethical nor a legal problem. Two months ago! without one fact of impropriety, their integrity is being questioned and drug through the mud December speed all of the investigations and legal opinions to the contrary. We did not possess any insider information and we were the best firm because we worked the hardest.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you, sir. Sue Michelle.
>> My name is sue michelle, I am the president of CPM engineering and scheduling, CPM [inaudible] that would be a firm that provides project management and construction management services. I have been informed that CPM's role as a sub consultant in this proposed waste water and wastewater cullant contract which was awarded to my company may place that award in jeopardy. My husband has been a hard working, loyal City employee for the past 13 years. Before I ever told a client consultant that I would act as a sub cultant, my husband and I contacted the law firm of webb and webb to research the law and they informed us that as long as I was not a decision maker in the prime contract or my husband was involved in -- at all in the selection process, that we had neither a conflict of interest or a problem with giving insider information. In this particular proposal my husband has not been involved at all in the decision making process and he has even taken the extraordinary step of refusing to communicate with anybody who is involved in the decision making process. His isolation from the decision makers during this process ensure that he is the least knowledgeable person about the water and wastewater consulting contract for the annexed areas. I have a personal stake in this process. If I must tell every prime contractor with whom I work that they will not be able to get a contract with water and wastewater department of the City of Austin because my husband works for the City of Austin, I will either have to change what I do or he will have to change what he does. It will do me no good to explain to them that it is legally permissible for me to try to make a living as I am doing while my husband works for the City. It will do me no good to explain to them that we have gone to the extraordinary lengths to ensure that there is no possibility of him providing insider information. It will do me no good to explain to them that no one has questioned his integrity in the entire 13 years which he has worked with the City of Austin. Before you deprive me of my livelihood for being legal, moral and ethical, I ask you to consider the consequences of your decision. Nature thank you, Ms. Michelle. Ann young?
>> good afternoon, my name is ann young and my company is a.k. Young associates. The firm was established here in 1990 and has been a w.b.e. Certified firm since its inception. Though sarahara has already stood up for her own defense, I want you to know as a subcontractor to Malcolm Pirnie that I have no knowledge of any insider information given to the firm by her or anyone else. I would also like you to understand truly understand the impact that this entire experience will have on her firm. Like her, I am an owner of a small business. I know personally how difficult it is to establish credibility with the larger prime firms. Can any of us really imagine the impact this is going to have on her firm? can we really imagine that a prime firmly not consider this when they think about using CPM? these are false allegations. And yet the impact that has been done to her and her firm is a fact. Her relationships with other firms, her reputation, her workload have all been impacted. Word is already out on the street that a prime would be foolish to consider adding CPM because of this experience. On Monday when we became aware of the allegations against sohare the entire team was unified if her support. One thing is that we have shown our true colors, we are a team, that's an important element of your decision here tonight. The way that members of the team function together and their ability to do the job are important and critical to the success of this program. And they are the reasons that we are the best team to do the job. Let me give you a further example of the strength of this team. As a small business, my firm is a subcontractor on numerous large project teams. Consequently, we have a lot of experience with proposal teams. The way that the members are selected and the way that those subs are treated during the proposal process. When I was first contracted about -- contacted about joining the Malcolm Pirnie team they already had a clear approach, they identified specific responsibilities that needed to be addressed and they expressed strong confidence in the selection of their subs. All subsequent actions by Malcolm Pirnie have built upon that foundation while preparing the proposal and getting ready for the interview, they solicited input from the subcontractors. They incorporated that input and then they involved us as much as possible without creating a burden for the smaller firms. My opinion is that this kind of team approach builds mutual respect among the team members and that it spreads to include our clients. Because Malcolm Pirnie built the team in this mags, -- if in this fashion, I think it was parent during our interview and became an important element in our evaluation.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you very much. Robina Jackson.
>> Good afternoon, I own Robina Jackson agency. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to make two brief points. First of all, I would like to say there was absolutely no insider information. There was no discussion of it. There was not even any thought of it. Second, I would like to say there was a lot of hard work. I've been working with Malcolm Pirnie since the second week in December and Robina Jackson agency was fortunate enough to be asked to be on two teams. I can say that both teams were good. But I can tell you that the amount of time and involvement that we have spent with this team both strategizing and preparing has just dwarfed what we did with the other. We were involved from the beginning, we have spent time in Houston planning how we would attack this project. We have spent countless hours in Austin looking at things like how we communicate effective with neighborhood associations, permitting, environmental issues so as not to slow down the process, how we would involve all of those that had an interest, not just homeowners, but business stakeholders and environmental stakeholders. It's obvious we did this because we wanted this job, but we want it just as much to be the kd of team that this Council would be proud to have representing it. Like you, we are hard working, we have worked hard. We are ethical. We do work as a team, not as a small town. We look forward to working with Council, commissioners, annexation transition team and all of those who this project is important to. And we are representative of all that's good about this community. Small business, women owned business, minority owned business, people that are committed to Austin. We are committed to this project. And we ask that you reaffirm your commitment to us by voting against 15 b. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you, Lynn mace. -- Mays.
>> I am Lynn Mays vice-president of Malcolm Pirnie. I just have three points I want to make. The first one actually is an unasked question, hate to do with why we hired Peter Nolan for our team. As we explained last week, we understand this was a four part process, the fourth part of that, the Council the part that we have been in for the last three weeks, one that's a little bit unfamiliar to us as engineers. We plainly asked Peter to help guide us through this process, he has worked with us well since we have done that. Secondly, I want to address how Malcolm Pirnie had gotten over the top with the interview. We haven't completely answered that question yet and we went back to look at the time lines since this process started. In November, on November 25th we got the RFQ. We went to work as Malcolm Pirnie looking at what was requested. And what kind of team members we were going to need for the preparation of the prepoem meeting that was held on December the 12th. You may know that all interested parties are requested to attend that meeting for one very important thing, that is to get information about the project. It is the only public meeting to provide that information. To all interested party. We attended. Not only do I attend, but four members from Malcolm Pirnie. Interest listening there was one and Montgomery Watson had no one in attendance from the other prime. We had four subcontractors there, we had 8 people there to collect information from that point. We carried that forward and we worked hard and we are still working hard today. It's also interested our proposals were submitted on December the 30th and unknown to us until Monday, on January 5th a letter arrived alleging unfair influence, special preferences and conflict of interest. This was at the time that your staff was reviewing our Written proposal. Finally the belief that Malcolm Pirnie had unfair advantage due to insider information I would like to address. We got our team together when we heard about the letter. We asked ourselves the hard questions and we know that we had no insider information. To a person we stand by CPM on this issue. And we ask you that after you review the facts that you, too, stand by your approval of Malcolm Pirnie and vote no on item 15 b. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you. Do you have a question? Councilmember Lewis?
>> Lewis: let me ask you a question. You said that you received a letter on January 5th.
>> Mayor Watson: 25th.
>> We had -- we received it, knowledge of that letter this week. The letter was dated January 5th.
>> Lewis: oh, it was dated January 5th, oh, okay, thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: Eric Fisher signed up representing brinker brinkerhoff, not to speak but to answer any questions, also Jerome bohn. Leonard Lyons I don't knows.
>> Lyons I don't know
>> you may be thinking I am talking off the subject, you might even be right if you think that. Lyons. I watched this twice on television and I am confused. If there's a conflict of interest, why don't we declare it. If there isn't why don't we declare it? why do we keep talking about something if it doesn't exist?
>> let me answer that.
>> Garcia: this is not an issue of conflict of interest. I know the discussion has been about that. Stop the clock because I want you to have your time.
>> Mayor Watson: we will make sure he has his time.
>> Garcia: this is a decision that has to do with an evaluation and what kind of information people had that made the decision. Pep keep talking about this conflict of interest, this and that. That's not the issue. The issue is that a recommendation came to us on an RFP. It had certain grades, certain numbers assigned. The matrix. We questioned that, we were given the information, incomplete, if I may say so. We didn't find out the complete information until the day after we voted and that's the reason that I asked that this item be back on the agenda. This is not about violating any laws. This is not about conflicts of interest. It's about who we are going to select on the basis of what we saw on the matrix.
>> Thank you for talking me. I hope they heard. You have three choices as I see it. Give it to the people as was originally approved. You can give it to the people that were not approved or you can put it out for an RFP. Those are the only three choices that you have. But none of those choices are going to satisfy the needs of good government and the needs of the taxpayer. So you have bad choices to make no matter what you do. And I want to say to you at this point, there's one other thing, which is sort of ancillary. Someone, one of the citizens made the comment that citizens could have walked into the evaluation process, that's not true. Other than the evaluation committee no one is allowed in there, that's closed. But the RFP process in my opinion is broken down. It does not work. It works in ideal circumstances with ideal bidders. It does not work if there's any problems, that's where we are, there are problems, it really feeds to be reviewed by professional people that do not have a vested interest in a solution, job protection, I am not accusing anyone of anything. But it's bad. And I've been involved in the evaluation committees now for I think six times and even -- you separate the objective from the subjective. Even on the objective things, if you have financial information and there's no one there that's capable of understanding the financial information, then it becomes subjective. If architectural information is important, there's no one there to understand the architectural things, if it's insufficient people, then it becomes subjective. Even the objective becomes subjective, then it becomes not a popularity contest, but less than what the RFP process should produce. That's my comment, thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: there isn't anyone else signed up to speak on item no. 15 B. Let me ask if Council has any questions of the two people that signed up not to speak, but are available for questions? all right the motion has been made and seconded, I was going to go to discussion, go ahead Mayor pro tem.
>> Garcia: let me say that in this discussion, the issues have been trampled so to speak for whatever reason. It started out, if anybody integrity was questioned, it was mine and my good friend Bill Faust’s integrity. It came out in the paper that he had lobbied me, which in essence was not true. Bill asked me a little bit about the contract and I said this contract, he did not know about the lobby rules, I told him this is not a contract that we can discuss with anybody. And he went away. The next thing I know I have a calm from a reporter on this issue. That was stunning to me, why I should be answering calls from reporters on this particular issue. Particularly they were pretty tough questions, pretty directed questions, I answered the questions just like I do all of the other tough questions that reporters ask. But let me say that the role of the Council in this decision making process is to evaluate and select the person that we want. This is not a bid. This is an RFP. And we get the recommended one and the alternate recommendations, which we did in this case. I have been on this Council six and a half years, that period of time I along with other Council members have been on both sides. I have voted for recommendations by staff that have been overturned by a vote of the majority. I have voted for alternate recommendations and have -- and have had other -- the majority of the Council agree with that decision. The vote for reconsideration has nothing to do with the violation of any laws or the integrity of any individuals. What we said was that the number that we saw on the interview appeared to have certain factors affecting it. And we did not know about those factors until the day after we voted on that particular issue. That does not make a Councilmember feel very good about it because we are here to protect the interests of the taxpayers and ratepayers of this community so I didn't feel good, I didn't feel good at all. The -- I referred during my discussion to the issue of anonymous notes. I had heard about it, but I did not know because those notes for some reason never got to the Council offices. We checked with other Council offices, nobody received them. It was received at one of our City departments. Okay? my thinking is that we should have known that information so that we could have evaluated the proposals in the manner this which we evaluate every other single proposal. Let me say in closing that one of the options that Mr. Lyons talked bus not acceptable to me. I don't want to go out on an RFP. Council today can vote whichever way they want to and I will respect that. But I wanted to make sure that we had an opportunity for reconsideration given the fact that certain information that should have been with us was not there last Thursday. And that's all that I would say, Mayor. You know, there's no hidden agendas here. We are not talking about miss michelle's integrity or whether she released information, none of that. It's just that when it comes to how it is that we do business in the public, we want all of the information that needs to be in the -- in front of the public to be there. Period. Nature thank you Mayor pro tem. Any additional discussion? Councilmember Slusher and then Councilmember Lewis.
>> Slusher: I would yield.
>> Lewis: I am trying to find out when the interviews took place. I see that the bid was open on December 18th. Is there anyone here that can tell me when the interviews was conducted?
>> Councilmember, director of Public Works and transportation, the interviews were conducted on January the 29th.
>> Lewis: it was letters to the fact that there was some improprieties that was dated January 5th, is -- I mean, is there any reason why it was a month plus between the opening of the bids and the -- well, I know that you have to go through the process, but I am just saying after the information -- I am still -- I am like Councilmember Garcia, I still haven't seen the letter dated January 5th to know what it was about. My question is if there was a letter, was it investigated and -- because, I haven't seen it and I don't know what the situation was, I don't even know what the contents of it is. But my question is if one company, Montgomery Watson had 82.5, and only received 11.7 points on the interview out of 25, you know, it lead me to believe that either they didn't show up or whoever showed up wasn't the same people that did the -- completed the proposal. We have a nine point spread on the interviews and a 7 point spread on the total points from the supposedly from the evaluation. Less the interview. In other words we had 82.5 versus 74.9, which is a 7.6 spread. On the interviews, out of 25 points, the top one was 20.8, the low was 11.7. So it -- you know, that -- as I said last week, it may in mind at least some question because I bid some evaluations and listened to interviews, for someone to turn in a report that they get 82.5 on the evaluation and 11 on -- or less than half of the points that's allowed for the interview, and I am not saying that I wasn't there, so I don't know what the interview -- interviewers presented or what the evaluators took under consideration, but it is a large disparity between being number one in the -- in the -- in the evaluations and number -- and the last one -- on the interview. You know? do you see what I am saying?
>> yes.
>> Lewis: my question basically was when were the interviews and if the information, all of this other information was known at the time of the interview. So ....
>> By the way, I my I misspoke, the interviews were on the 20.
>> Lewis: on the 20th. Because I believe one of the speakers said they had information and the letter was dated the 5th and so if it was dated the 5th of January, I would just take from that that someone received it sometime shortly after this.
>> If I may address this issue, yes. The letter was actually directed to me, the department of Public Works and transportation. And it stated the things that already have been discussed as far as the possibility of a conflict of interest. The slert showed at the bottom as a copy to Councilmembers, City Manager and one other entity. And when I received the letter I sent it to the City attorney's office with a request to advise whether in fact the conflict of interest existed. We received Written notice on the 13th of January from the City attorney's office that in their opinion that it did not appear to be a conflict of interest. I asked my staff to prepare a memo to Mayor and Council and in the heat of the battle I failed to send it out at the time when I received it back from my staff. On the other hand, I also when it came back to my mind felt that I had not hurt anything from -- I had not heard anything from Council, which normally if there is something like this you would except them to come back to staff, I was under the impression that this person may have sent these letters to the Councilmembers and that you were aware of it because of what the letter indicated at the bottom. So I take responsibility for preparing a memo and not sending it, that's something certainly that may have caused some aggravation to the Council and I apologize for that if that's the case. But that's -- you know, that certainly happened with no bad intentions. And mainly because I understood that this already was addressed to Council as part of a copy. [One moment please] and so as a result of the relationship as a City -- with the City as an employee, it was contended that there may be a conflict of interest between Mr. Michelle's relationship as a City employee and the fact that his wife as his spouse was proposing on a project that deals with the water and waste water project.
>> Slusher: I was referring actually to the memo.
>> Oh, the member yo that I wrote.
>> Slusher: I am familiar with the anonymous letter.
>> The memo that we address and was furnished on the 24th said we confirm that Mr. Michelle is a water/wastewater employee and has been there for over a year. We confirmed that he did used to work for Public Works prior to that time. We confirmed that Mr. Michelle did not participate in the review or the selection process or the -- or the RFQ processes for this particular project, and we confirmed that he was not going to be involved in any decisions relative to this project during the life of this project.
>> Slusher: so he had nothing to do withishing the RFQ, he had nothing to do with making the decisions about the proposals and he will not be involved in administering the contract?
>> that is correct
>> Slusher: so to the best of your knowledge, having investigated the situation all of the charges in this anonymous letter are unfounded; is that correct?
>> well, the facts are correct that he is married to the employee, but the allegation that there is a conflict of interest in a legal sense as I understand it is unfounded.
>> Slusher: so no legal conflict of interest and you can't find any evidence of information going places where it shouldn't be going.
>> No, sir.
>> Slusher: okay. Thanks.
>> Mayor Watson: Councilmember Slusher.
>> Slusher: I'm going to vote for the motion. I don't question anyone's integrity on either of the teams and I don't believe it's a conflict, I don't believe Mr. Michelle has a conflict. I did have some problems with the process on the City's end, the wide disparity in the interview scores bothered me to start with. I was also concerned about the fact that contract on another matter which was approved administratively and came to us for a much larger increase and I think it boils down to the disclosure issue that the Council didn't have the information last week so those are the reasons behind why I'm going to vote the way I'm going to vote.
>> Mayor Watson: Councilmember Spelman.
>> Spelman: I have a question. What information are you referring to that you are concerned about having disclosed to the Council?
>> the issue about Mr. Michelle working for water/wastewater department, that his wife was the president of a subcontractor, that information was not known by the Council until the day after the -- we made the decision.
>> Spelman: okay. And that's the -- I'm not certain I see the relevance for that.
>> Garcia: you asked the question with regard to conflict of interest and I said early it's not a conflict of interest issue in the purchase rest sense. Conflict of issue when it gets to public dollars has two parts. One is in actuality and in actuality there is no conflict. But there's another part of it and that is in appearance. You know, how do the people in this community look at that particular issue and how that particular issue may have impacted a score that was given on a matrix. That was my point. And we did not know that. When you asked me the question last week about the issue, I didn't know that or I would have told you. Because I think that the -- the people of Austin get the impression that employees of the City have spouses that participate in contracts and they get the contracts because of scoring, I think that some people in Austin may object to that. As a Councilmember, I object to it because I think that information needs to be known to us. Particularly rsp's when we make the decision not on the lowest bid but on a matrix. And when we evaluate the matrix, we ought to know those things so that we can pass judgment and discuss the issues openly. This is not to impugn the integrity of anyone. It's about what it is that we have as a responsibility as public servants to evaluate RFP's. And I agree with Mr. Lyons and the City Manager who also said basically the same thing, Leonard, that the RFP process needs to be looked at again. It has some problems that culminate in us having these kinds of discussions here. And I don't know -- I'm not an expert on development of matrixes. I think Mr. Lyons' comment coincides with what the City manager said. We may need to bring some people to help us look at those things. But my concern was that when I voted on this, the only thing I knew was that Malcolm Pirnie had audited water/wastewater. I did not know that one of the members of their team was married to an engineer in the department that was involved in this. Whether they participated -- whether he participated in the -- in anything or not is really not significant. It's whether in the eye of the public something unfair may have gone on.
>> Also in defense of Mr. Rieck and the other man, the reason that information -- the reason that information was not shared with the Council. It shows my office rs the assistant manager's office, the Mayor's office being copied. Mr. Rieck made an assumption, perhaps incorrectly, that when that individual sent that anonymous note because they didn't have the courage to show it, showed they sent it to all offices. Mr. Rieck reached a conclusion that you had that information and your questions had been so he had. -- Satisfied.
>> Mayor Watson: Mayor pro tem?
>> Garcia: I appreciate Peter Rieck, Randy, Garza, and Toby Futrell’s tremendous efforts to come to my office. We spent about an hour and a half yesterday talking about this because the impression that was left was that I somehow or other did not trust Peter Rieck or didn't trust Goss. That's not the issue. That's not the issue at all. Peter explained to me what happened and I understand it. It's just that we as a Council have the latitude to do the things that we think need to be done, and if today you decide we ought not to reconsider this, fine, we can go on to other nirbs this agenda and other agendas to come. We have a lot of things to do. But I did want to -- for us to have this kind of discussion on this kind of an issue because I think it's pertinent to what kind of trust this Council has with the people and how well we satisfy ourselves that when we select somebody on an RFP process that we're doing it on the basis of all the facts that we should know.
>> Mayor Watson: the motion that has been made and seconded is to approve a reconsideration, a vote in favor will be a vote to reconsider and then we would have to have another motion. A vote no would be a vote against reconsidering and we would go forward with the motion that passed last week. Is there any further discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. None, I'll ask the City clerk to call the role roll.
>> Councilmember Griffith?
>> no kMrb.
>> Slusher: yes.
>> Spelman?
>> no.
>> Mayor Watson?
>> no.
>> Mayor pro tem.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Watson: there being three yes, sirs and three nos and one absence, the motion fails for lack of a majority vote. So it would not be reconsidered. Where is Jackie? [laughter].
>> Garcia: we need her.
>> Mayor Watson: all right. That takes care of item no. 15 B. We'll move to item 16 and I'll recognize Councilmember Lewis.
>> Lewis: thank you, Mayor. On item no. 16, I submitted a question as to the fact we have 18 vehicles that has gasoline liquid propane operation pickups. My question is why only 18. And the answers that I received was that at this time 18 liquid propane gasoline operation pickups are only vehicles designated for alternative fuel. But my question is if we feel that we need 18, why -- and because of the number of pickups we're buying, purchasing, why only 18 are being considered for alternative fuel? and what department are those for?
>> when we were trying to put together the list for acquisition this year, we identified 18 uses that we could use the alternative fuel, this is the dual propane gasoline trucks. There is a differential in cost of anywhere from three to five or six thousand dollars per truck, so before we went any further than that Roger Duncan and I have gotten together and started to analyze what vehicles are truly available from the manufacturer direct. We've had trouble in the past with retrofitting trucks so we've made -- made the decision that since they do not work very well, we will buy only from the manufacturer. Some of the trucks are -- or some models are available direct from the manufacturer, some are not. We'll be coming forward to Council with some recommendations that will get us along toward our goal a little faster starting in the next budget year, and so at this point, I guess the answer is we had people that would -- that could use the dual fuels and we had enough money to do 18. And that's primarily the reason that we went that route
>> Lewis: we do the aerial Council government corporate purchasing because of the quantity of vehicles?
>> that's true.
>> Lewis: which lowers the price.
>> Yes.
>> Lewis: and we don't buy just one type of vehicle, I mean one Ford or Dodge or GMC.
>> Well, they put these out for 6 bid so it's whatever the low -- for bid so it's whatever the low bid is for a particular model, et cetera.
>> Lewis: and -- well, I was looking here at all --
>> he's our real purchasing expert so I do know about the alternative fuel and why we made those selections, but as we get into the bidding and the actual purchasing, I would like to have sue our purchasing officer take over.
>> Thank you.
>> Lewis: my question is I was looking here at all of the different departments, you know, the health department, inspection department, development review and inspection, financial service department, information service department and looking at this, we only get nine sedans and what is it, one small -- a couple of -- a -- small vehicles, and my question is if all these nonmaintenance type departments are using vehicles why do they need full size vehicles? I mean surely we can get a ranger cheap than an F150 pickup, can't we? in fleet prices?
>> Councilmember, we probably can. What drives the department's request for the type of vehicle is the functional use of the vehicle, and, for example, on some of those health vehicles, those are for some of their environmental inspectors and the little cars don't work because they need to carry stuff in it. The alternative fuel vehicles are for the division -- development review inspectors. There are some three quarter ton pickups in there, there are some half ton pickups, there are some passenger vans. I think there are some carryalls like some sue burr bans, those are for some of the fire commander posts, some of the -- I think EMS maybe has one of the commander vehicles in there. So those are pretty much determined by the usage. Now, the small number of sedans that are in there, most of our sedans are purchased for the police department in that initial police package purchase that we do. In these -- and these might be for some administrative type vehicles. Those are in that mid size range. Some of them are full size, most are mid size range vehicles.
>> Lewis: well, because I'm looking here at, you know, they have aviation department and it doesn't say which type of vehicle they are getting, but the aviation department, parks and recreation, you know and especially the government review and inspection department, now, I know for a fact that most of those vehicles are operated and used by one person, an inspector. That's the reason I'm saying that, you know, I mean it seems to me that we could at least use smaller vehicles to do the same, you know, when we are buying these vehicles rather than a full size pickup at least use a smaller pickup whether they, you know, whatever model they be.
>> Councilmember, I can provide you with an item iced list of every vehicle -- itemized vehicle and the option. Some of these are drainage vehicles. Some are for the parks department that are off road. Some are for water, public works. Again, those are on and on road vehicles. I've got a breakdown and I will be glad to supply that information. I'm having it faxed over to you.
>> Lewis: okay. Thank you. Now, I move approval.
>> Mayor Watson: motion been made to approve item 16. Second? seconded by the Mayor pro tem. Any discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed? motion carries. On item no. 16. That takes us to our 4:30 time certain. I'll entertain a motion to recess until 4:30. Motion made by Mayor pro tem and seconded. Any discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed? motion carries. We're in recess until 4:30 p.m.
Recess 1
>> Mayor Watson: back to order of the Austin City Council. I'll call back to order the Austin City Council. We'll go to items -- item nos. 30 Through 34. Welcome. Sir.
>> Good evening Mayor and Council.
>> .
>> Mayor Watson: somebody answer the phone.
>> Mayor and Council. I'm with the development review and inspection department and I'll be going through the zoning cases this evening. All our cases this evening we're offering consent with one item being withdrawn at the request of the applicant. The first case I would like to present is item no. 30, This is zoning case c foreign foreign-97-0133. This is a rezoning request of a property of approximately nine and a half acres at Brodie Lane and pay son know trail. From sf two to sf 4-a. The Planning Commission recommendation is to approve sf 4 a and rr for those portions within the floodplain. Also to dedicate up to 32 feet of right away from the existing line on pay son no trail which we did at the time of the subdivision. The Planning Commission also included a recommendation of lots created along the south property line to be comparable to lots in the south and the maker of that portion of the motion has requested that to be deleted and the applicant is agreeable also to that deletion. And so this is ready for all three readings of the planning commission recommendation without that one condition for the size of the lots. Item no. 31, This is zoning case c 14-97-139. This is a request of 511 hearne street from sf to no. We have confirmation from the applicant that this rezoning request has been withdrawn. So no action is required today. Item no. 32, This is zoning case c 14-97-151. Applicant is a 6.3 acre tract located along duval and dorsett road. This is a rezoning request from sf two to go. The Planning Commission recommendation is to approve gocl and r for the area located within the 100-year floodplain. The condition able overlay with the go would limit the site to less than 2,000 vehicle trips per day, prohibit access to dorsett. Also includes many other conditions that deal with additional prohibited uses limiting the development of the property to a maximum of 45,000 square feet of heated floor space. Limitations on height, maintaining certain buffers and locations of access. And other conditions that have been entered into with the neighborhood which is part of your packet material. And this is also recommended for approval of the planning commission recommendation on all three readings.
>> The next item, item no. 33. This is a rezoning request of approximately .3 acres by the 1303 partnership at 406 west sixth street and 1303 San Antonio street. This is a rezoning request from go to dmu. The Planning Commission recommendation is to approve the request subject to a conditional overlay limiting the number of trips to less than 2,000 vehicle trips. This is ready for you for all three readings. The last item is item no. 34. This is zoning case c 14-97-167. This is a rezoning request of approximately two and a half acres by managing partner Mr. Jerry Jones with the property being located on Spicewood Springs Road. This is a rezoning request from sf 3 to lo. The Planning Commission recommendation is to approve loc ozoning with a conditional overlay. The conditional overlay would restrict the property to 2,000 vehicle trips per day. The right-of-way dedication is no longer needed because we have determined that the right-of-way had been dedicated previously. Other conditions that have been placed by the planning commission deal with additional prohibited uses, limits on the heights to one-story, signage limitations, limit taixs on the total floor area, limitations on the size of signs and access. In addition, the applicant has entered into an additional agreement with the neighborhood that binds the property further for the development of the site. This is also recommended to you for approval of planning commission recommendation on all three readings.
>> Mayor Watson: let me make sure I've got them right. Item 30 is a consent item offered on all three readings. 32 Is withdrawn. 33 Consent three reeldings and 34 consent three readings. Let me double-check and make sure we didn't have anybody sign up. Mr. Castro, you signed up on item no. 32. If it is to go on consent, do you need to speak? when we come to it then -- hang on, hang on. Are you going to try to talk us out of it? okay. Why don't you come forward?
>> good evening Mayor Watson and Councilmembers. I want to support the item no. 32. These -- this issue has been worked with the new members of the association board. I'm also a former board member of the Millwood Association but the association has been working with the planning commission and planning department and I want to pass along they did a good job and we sure appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you. Council, I'll entertain a motion to pass the consent agenda, items no. 30, 32, 33 And 34, each item on all three readings.
>> So moved.
>> Motion is seconded by Councilmember Lewis.
>> Mayor Watson: I thought I saw your hand go up.
>> I did want to say something.
>> Garcia: I also want to be recognized.
>> Mayor Watson: let me get a second.
>> Lewis: second.
>> Mayor Watson: I'll recognize Councilmember Lewis.
>> Excuse me. On no. 30, This is subject to the SOS ordinance.
>> That's correct. And could we get the applicant to confirm that's his understanding because some applicants have had some confusion about that in the past and I'd just like to clear that up.
>> Whatever we do on this tract will be in direct accordance on the SOS ordinance.
>> Spelman: thank you. I appreciate that. It's probably good to be a broken record by now because there's been so many, but you can't build under so. S and make a profit. Mayor matte. Mayor pro tem.
>> Garcia: thank you, Mayor. On item no. 30, Is that a discussion item or is that consent item? I had it Written as discussion?
>> that is a consent item at this time. Gar on how many readings.
>> On all three.
>> Garcia: on item no. 32, Was there any discussion about compatibility? it seems that all the zoning around this one is going to go, all the area around it is mf or sf.
>> Yes. The zoning in the immediate area to the south is mf. To the east there is some single family 2 zoning, but there's also a large floodplain area. You have a railroad track that runs along the west property line. And they have worked with the neighborhood extensively and come up with some conditions that they could live with and that the neighborhood requested and it is ready for you for all three readings with all these conditions in there.
>> Garcia: did they indicate what they were going to use this for?
>> I believe the proposed use was for office use.
>> Garcia: what?
>> it was for office use.
>> Garcia: okay. That's all the questions I have.
>> Mayor Watson: any further discussion? motion has been made been seconded to approve items 30, 32, 33 and 34 on all three readings. There being no further discussion, all those in favor say eye aye. All in favor. Motion carries.
>> That takes us to our 6:00 o'clock time certain. It is seconded by the Mayor pro tem. is there any discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. All opposed. Motion carries, we're in recess until 6:00 p.m..
Recess 2
>> (Missing text) Transmission main in accord anxious with section 26 .001 of the Texas parks and wildlife code. I was thinking we were having a Councilmember, but maybe I'm wrong. Do we have a staff presentation for this?
>> yes, sir.
>> Mayor Watson: welcome, sir.
>> I'm with the architectural engineering services division of Public Works. I'm here to give you a short presentation on this project we're here for public hearing on the use of park lands for construction of a project. In the may 1997 bond election, City of Austin voters approved a proposition 2 for construction of the Ulrich water treatment plant transmission main. We're here tonight for the public hearing to discuss uses of park land for construction of the project. The project's purpose is to expand the capacity of coming out of the Ulrich water treatment plant to meet peak demands and to take advantage of existing treatment plant capacity. The project includes construction of approximately four miles of 72-inch pipe from the Ulrich water treatment plant to the intersection of second and Guadalupe street as shown on the two displays in front of you. Parks and recreation department has been a very integral part of our design team on this project. We worked with them from project inception and we continue to expand on that relationship as the project progresses. We anticipate starting construction of this project in the fall of this year and it will take approximately two years to construct. There is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of dedicated park land for this project. This project includes all reasonable planning to minimize and mitigate damage to the park lands. The project has received a unanimous approval from the parks land and facilities commission, the parks board and the water and waste water commission. If there are any questions, we're here to answer at this time.
>> Mayor Watson: any members of the Council have questions at this time? because we'll come back if we need, but any questions at this time? all right. We've had one person sign up to speak and that's Grant Godfrey.
>> good evening, Mr. Mayor and Councilmembers. Most of you know me as an attorney for the save our springs alliance, but I want to express first I'm not here tonight in that capacity. I am here tonight mainly as a citizen and as a frequent user of red bud island and so I wanted to use get some of my concerns across to you on that first of all, the Ulrich project has some very good purposes that will help us to foster development in the preferred growth corridor, which is where we want it. And I am all in favor of that. I guess the reason I really felt like I had to come and speak to you tonight is because I was at red bud island on Sunday and didn't know that in spite of the fact that I knew there was going to be a waterline constructed, that there is going to be a access shaft drilled which will basically shut down the park for about a year and a half, from my information, except for that part on the north side of the bridge, which is frankly less usable. And also, I have some concerns about the fact there is going to be about ten acres in total of park land used is my understanding for the whole project and I would just like you to keep in mind that there is a big temptation to look at public land as free land, and we wouldn't let a private company come in and say, well, there's no reason -- feasible, reasonable and prudent alternatives without a serious examination of them and I'm sure you've done quite a few, but I also understand that this is mainly for peak demand in the summertime when people are watering their lawns is the real necessity for this project. And I don't wish to oppose the project because it will foster growth in the areas where we want it; however, I would like to see the parks department and the users really get something back. There -- red bud island is really a very unique place, I've gone there and picked wildflowers for girls to no avail. [Laughter]. I've gotten poison ivy and I like to take my kayak out there and sit on Town Lake because it is, quite frankly, one of the most certificate reason spots in the City.
>> Mayor Watson: you probably shouldn't have announced that right now.
>> Poison ivy, that was several years ago.
>> Mayor Watson: no, I was going to say the serenity. You might have a lot of folks out there.
>> I have noticed a lot more people watch Channel 6 than I ever would have thought. [Laughter]. But anyway, those are my main concerns. I really think that we need to avoid the temptation to look at public land as free to use for uses that we should maybe examine really closely before we turn it over. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you very much.
>> I just want to leave you with those ideas.
>> Mayor Watson: we appreciate you being here. Council, do you all have any questions of staff?
>> Slusher: could we get our parks director to speak about the impact on the park? and the restoration.
>> There is going to be some impact during construction time, but we feel that once the construction has been completed and the improvements that are going to be made to the red bud area are going to outweigh the time that it's going to be out of commission. I think the public will be very pleased with the work that's going to be done in the area after the construction has been done.
>> Slusher: and how long is that going to take?
>> well, the -- based on the weather and those type of things, it is going to take anywhere between a year plus I think. I guess the engineers can tell you a little better on that, but it is going to take a while. It is -- the work that they are going to be doing is pretty extreme.
>> Slusher: and then what about the -- you talk about the improvements afterward would be worth it. Tell us a little bit about that.
>> There is going to be improvements on the area. There is going to be some docks and the roadways are going to be improved. I think we're going to have better security afterwards because of the way you are going to be accessing the park as to the way it is right now. I think it's going to be more accessible to the public than what it is now instead of cars just driving up and parking on the edge of the water, it's going to be a little bit more control.
>> Slusher: are you talking about more parking lot being built or what?
>> there is going to be some trail improvements in the area and so forth, but there is going to be a dock where you are going to be able to utilize in order to, you know, drift off in your kayak or your canoes and those type of things.
>> Slusher: okay. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: any additional questions? I'll entertain a motion to close the public hearing on item no. 35. Motion made by Councilmember Griffith. Second? seconded by Councilmember Slusher. Any discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed? the motion carries. The public hearing on item 35 is closed. We'll go to item no. 38. I'll entertain a motion with regard to item no. 38. Is there a motion? motion made by the Mayor pro tem to approve item no. 38, Which is the resolution authorizing permanent and temporary use agreements through the dedicated park land previously outlined. Is there a second? seconded by Councilmember Spelman. Any discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed? motion carries with Councilmember good man absent. That takes us to our next item which is set for a time certain so I will entertain a motion to recess until 6:30. Got ahead of ourselves there, didn't I? motion is made -- motion to recess until 6:30 has been made by Councilmember Slusher. Is there a second? seconded by Councilmember Spelman. Any discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed? motion carries. We're in recess until 6:30 p.m.
Recess 3
>> Mayor Watson: call back to order the Austin City Council. Item 36 when we broke we were talking about taking a recess until 6:30 p.m. For purposes of a public hearing that was set for a time certain. I announced at the beginning of the meeting that matter had been pulled from the agenda so we are now at item no. 37, A public hearing on the parks and recreation department's master plan entitled long range plan for land and facilities to comply with Texas parks and wildlife department grant requirements. I'll recognize the director of parks and recreation department.
>> Good evening, Mayor. We are prepared to make a short presentation tonight and give you an overview of the parks master plan if you wish to do that. If you would wish for us to go by and brief Councilmembers during the week individually on the master plan, it is a very detailed document, we can do that also. And then we can answer any questions that you might have on Thursday when you do vote on it.
>> Mayor Watson: one other thing you might want to do and I would request that you do is set up a time with Channel 6 where you can do a presentation on Channel 6 of however much detail you want to go into in order that the public might see this very detailed plan.
>> We will certainly do that, Mayor.
>> Mayor Watson: if you will just work out something with them, I think that would be --. [Laughter].
>> I think, Butch, you have the documents. Can you pass them out to the Councilmembers so they can take them with them? just to let the Mayor and members of the Council know that the document that's before you is in a draft form. This document has already been approved by your parks and recreation bort and it's been approved by the Texas parks and wildlife department also. And the reason why we bring it before you tonight is for Council to approve it, and I understand we'll be taking a vote on this next week, but by voting on this document, by no means does this document lock the City or the Mayor and Council or the staff to the priorities that have been listed. It will only allow you to maximize our point scoring with Texas parks and wildlife when we do go and apply for grants with them. What we want to also let Mayor and Council know is that a project did not get on the list, we can very easily amend the plan to include the project that will then go forward to Texas parks and wildlife for funding. So I'll go very quickly through the presentation, Mayor. Austin has been referred as a City within a park, a unique natural setting gives Austin a wealth of green hills, dramatic topography and numerous waterways. The setting coupled with mild climate and youth full population leads to deunanimousic energy with people and environment. Parks and recreation are very important to the citizens of the Austin metropolitan area. The purpose of this planning document is to ensure this national heritage is preserved and the recreational opportunity is fostered in the beginning that will lead us into the beginning of the next century. Some of the overviews that the department has, and I'll move through them very quickly, is we have over 14,000 acres of parks and green ways and preserves, 35 miles of developed hike and bike trails we manage 8,608 acres of Balcones canyon preserve property. You have 15 recreation centers three senior activity centers, four golf courses, two tennis centers, a botanical garden, performing arts facilities, four museums, nature and science centers, four rental facilities and 86 playgrounds. The Austin population has grown approximately 14% from 1990 to 1997. Population figures will rise to over 600,000 before the year 2000. There is an ever increasing demand for park services and facilities. The planning process. This planning document you have before you took 16 months. The plan focuses on needs over the next five to seven years. A systematic approach was utilized in order for us to reach this particular point. The planning process components, development of goals and objectives were set up, park standards were utilized similar to the ones Texas parks and wildlife uses, needs assessments, identification of priority projects and implementation strategy. Needs assessments, four methods were used to assess citizens' needs. Outdoor recreation capacity analysis, public opinion surveys, public hearings by the parks and recreation board and analysis of significant natural resorts. A matrix was developed to compare the four assessment methods. Potential projects were prioritized. Most needed were identified. Regulatory requirements were given consideration. A list of potential projects was compiled. As you know, identification of funding in the past your parks and recreation department has built projects through cip, texts text parks and wildlife grants, support from community development block grants, community resources, park land dedication, existing funds and grants and gifts. The long range plan is designed to be affordable and realistic with practical applications. Projects were selected by need how well they met departmental goals, opportunity for accomplishment, consideration of the constraints of time, money and workforce capacity. As I mentioned earlier, Mayor and members of the Council, the parks and recreation board approved this on December 9th, 1997. Your Texas parks and wildlife department also approved this on November 21st in 1997. We bring the document before you for approval so that we can have a plan in place so that when we do go and apply for future funding, which we are preparing ourselves to go and seek for funding sometime in July of this year, this would be the only requirement that we need left is for Council to look and approve this plan so we can have all our documents prepared and ready and on file with Texas parks and wildlife. That concludes our brief overview, Mayor and members of the Council. As I mentioned earlier, we are prepared to go by and visit with individual Councilmembers during the week so that we can give you some additional details as to the processes that were utilized in order for us to come up with the list and the priority rankings of some of the projects that will be listed in your package that you do have before you.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you, anybody have any questions or comments? all right. Then what we'll do if anybody wants an additional briefing, you can get an additional briefing, get in contact with him. I want to make sure nobody signed up to speak. There hadn't been a moment ago. Yes, we do have somebody. Rosemary cast sellbury.
>> Thank you. All I want to do is take the draft off this one. This is so important, if you when you get ready to look at our cip, the bond election, you will see that it tracks this very, very well. Especially in that red area that was identified as probably the most need full in town. We want to see a facility, recreation at the farthest north we go is northwest rec center which does need some additions, second story at least on it to try to help serve some of that yarx but the further north we go, we've got a lot of centers on the east, there's even more need for larger facilities in the south. I think you've heard some things about the southwest as well. I'm really more concerned about that south central position -- thing. If you go up the middle of the City, that's where it appears that we are looking at the potential. I will echo with Jesus, if any of you would like me to sit down with you and talk about this and deal with this, I'll be more than happy to. I could stand up here for an hour and talk about this so I'll let you go tonight. [Laughter].
>> Mayor Watson: yes, Mayor pro tem.
>> Garcia: just say that I'm glad you are all are focusing in on walnut creek. I think that's enormously important resource and in an area of town that needs it. And there's probably going to be some development up and down that area. Same thing with the Colorado river park. You look at the --
>> yes, I could talk about Colorado river pack for another hour. But that walnut creek, if we do not purchase this property now, we're going to be paying high dollar for it because I'm with, Gus, I feel that it's moving -- there's being some things moved out in that direction. Our high-tech people are moving out in that section and I think we truly need to look seriously at that.
>> Garcia: well, the decision that the Council made to designate that area up and down from north to south has -- as desired development is going to put pressure on that area and we need to make sure that we protect those resources in that area and that's a beautiful area.
>> Yeah. The only other comment is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. We truly need to keep up what we've got going right now. We've got one of the most beautiful ee ee you asked me to -- you ask me to move out of Austin, no way. [Laughter].
>> Mayor Watson: Jeanette k lochlt tz. I thought I saw you there. Hi.
>> Hi. Since I have not had a chance to look at this, is everyone -- is there going to be a chance for speaking next week?
>> Mayor Watson: we're going to close the public hearing tonight. I'll tell you what, we'll evaluate that between now and next week. What we're going to do is just have an action item next week and tonight is the public hearing on it. I will try to evaluate that between now and next week and if it's one or two people, we wouldn't have any problem with doing that.
>> Okay. I would appreciate it. I hate to speak totally uninformed.
>> Garcia: but there will be a program on channel of sometime between now and next Thursday and as I indicated, to the extent we can have call in versions so people -- take an hour, do a whole program.
>> I know there is a long -- a lot of interest from some of the neighborhoods in the area, but I wasn't even aware it was on the agenda tonight until I picked up on copy of the agenda yesterday, so I would appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Mayor Watson: thank you. Those are all the people that have signed up to speak. Does anybody have any questions or comments? I'll entertain a motion to close the public hearing on item no. 37. Motion made by the Mayor pro tem. Seconded by Councilmember Slusher. Any discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed? motion carries. Councilmember good man is absent. Councilmember Lewis had to leave to go to a meeting at LBJ High School to talk about changes in Loyola Lane and participate in that effort. Council, those are all the items to come before the Council at this regular scheduled meeting. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion made by Councilmember Slusher, seconded by the Mayor pro tem to adjourn. Any discussion? hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed? motion carries. We are adjourned.