City of Austin City Council Met June 1

City of Austin City Council Met June 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of Austin, Texas convened in a Work Session Meeting via Videoconference. 

Mayor Adler called the Council Meeting to order at 9:09 a.m. 

BRIEFINGS 

B2. Update on the Aspen Heights Negotiation (HealthSouth). 

Presentation was made by Susana Carbajal, Assistant Director, Economic Development; Mandy DeMayo, Community Development Administrator, Housing and Planning Department. 

COUNCIL DISCUSSION 

D2. Discussion actions and timeline related to the Interlocal Agreement with the Austin Economic Development Corporation and the scope of work and resources required to support efforts in line with Council Resolution No. 20201001-055. 

D 1. Discussion regarding Council Meeting options including hybrid meetings. PRE-SELECTED AGENDA ITEMS 

Mayor Adler introduced the agenda for the June 3, 2021 Council meeting and allowed Council to give input or ask questions on any item posted on the agenda. Staff was available to provide verbal responses to Council questions. Discussion was held on the following items taken from Thursday's agenda. 

6. Approve a resolution directing the Chief Financial Officer of the City to calculate the City's proposed voter-approval property tax rate with an increase of 8% above the City's current maintenance and operations rate as allowed by the Texas Tax Code for taxing units located in areas declared a disaster by the Governor of the State of Texas. 

71. Approve an ordinance setting the tax exemption for the percentage-based property tax (ad valorem) residence homestead exemption at the current level of 10% of the assessed value or a different value that Council may establish up to a maximum of 20% in accordance with state law.

72. Approve an ordinance setting the tax exemption for residence homesteads of individuals 65 years of age or older and persons with disabilities at the current value of S88,000 or a different value that Council may establish in an amount not to exceed $1 13,000. 

7. Authorize negotiation and execution of a competitive sealed proposal agreement with Bat four Beatty Construction Group, Inc. for construction services for the Town Lake Metro Park - Seaholm Intake Facility Phase 1 Rehabilitation project in an amount not to exceed S3,200,000. 

14. Approve an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Development Services Department Operating Budget (Ordinance No. 20200812-001) to increase the number of authorized staff positions by 41 full-time equivalent staff positions to support the housing goals expressed in Strategic Direction 2023 and the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint. 

Mayor Adler recessed the Council Meeting at 12:04 p.m. 

Mayor Adler reconvened the Council Meeting at 1:04 p.m. 

40. Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to participate in the Capital Metro Equitable Transit Oriented Development Study and community engagement efforts; to develop an Equitable Transit Oriented Development Policy Plan to achieve specified goals, including, but not limited to identifying methods to address community displacement, exploring opportunities to fund affordable housing, creating diverse housing options near transit, and encouraging multimodal transportation; and identify potential funding for the policy plan development. 

Mayor Adler recessed the Council Meeting at 1:40 p.m. 

Mayor Adler reconvened the Council Meeting at 2:28 p.m. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

The City Council went into Executive Session, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel, to discuss matters of land acquisition, litigation, and personnel matters as specifically listed on this agenda and to receive advice from Legal Counsel regarding any other item on this agenda. 

El. Discuss legal issues related to open government matters (Private consultation with legal counsel - Section 551.071 of the Government Code. 

Withdrawn 

E2. Discuss legal and real estate matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of an interest in real property and improvements related to the motel conversion strategy to provide services, shelter, and/or housing (Private consultation with legal counsel -Section 5 51.071 of the Government Code and Real property -Section 551.072 of the Government Code). Conducted 

E3. Discuss legal and real estate matters related to the transfer of land within the Mueller project to Austin Independent School District (Private consultation with legal counsel -Section 557.071 of the Government Code and Real property -Section 5 51.072 of the Government Code). Withdrawn

E4. Discuss legal issues related to HB 1900, relating to municipalities that adopt budgets that defund municipal police departments. (Private consultation with legal counsel -Section 551.071 of the Government Code). 

Conducted 

Mayor Adler reconvened the Council Meeting at 4:23 p.m. 

BRIEFINGS 

Bl. Update on homelessness related issues including potential ARP spending. Presentation was made by Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Director, Austin Public Health; Dianna Grey, Chief Homeless Strategy Officer, Austin Public Health; Kimberly McNeeley, Director, Parks and Recreation Department. 

Mayor Adler adjourned the Council Meeting at 5:08 p.m. without objection. 

https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=362221