City of Austin City Council met Feb. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council of Austin, Texas convened in a Work Session Meeting 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX and via Videoconference.
Mayor Adler called the Council Meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
Council Members Fuentes, Harper-Madison, Kitchen, Kelly, Renteria, and Tovo were remote. Council Member Casar was absent.
D. COUNCIL DISCUSSION
37. Approve appointments and certain related waivers to citizen boards and commissions to Council committees and other intergovernmental bodies, and to public facility corporations; removal and replacement of members; and amendments to board and commission bylaws.
B. BRIEFINGS
B2. Update on Homelessness Related Issues.
The presentation was conducted by Dianna Grey, Homeless Strategy Officer, Akeshia Johnson-Smothers, Austin Public Health Program Manager.
Direction was given to staff to consider a policy or guiding principles that prioritizes encampment areas with more than so many tents. A policy that limits the amount of massing, that would still provide for the people, but allow greater leeway to forge ahead and do the work to honor the election and recognize it. To work with the Austin Fire Department/Wildfire Division and obtain information on how they are managing day-to-day regarding encampments of concern, how AFD and the Wildfire Division are training with the Homeless Strategy Office on risks. Direction was given to the City Manager to provide information on how much the Parks Department general fund resources that were supposed to be spent on park issues are being devoted to homelessness, what is the implication to the Parks department and all its services. To provide Council with information if there is a need for resources to help move work forward and support staff, specifically the Homeless Strategy Office and cold weather shelters; for the City Manager to bring forward to Council if there is a need for additional resources, in any one of the areas, or additional policy direction.
Direction was given to staff to provide what steps are being taken to enforce overnight parking at parks, specifically Zilker Park. To provide information on who oversees compliance-PARD, Austin Code, APD? Find a way to cross-communicate with departments and create a process for issues like this. To provide the cross-departmental criteria put in place to identify what risks are and safety points for identified locations and the number of sites being assessed. Direction was given to the City Manager to work with staff on the best way to communicate information internally to Mayor and Council and staff, as forward progress is made on initiatives. Direction was given to staff to update the dashboard of city funded projects.
Bl. South Central Waterfront Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.
The presentation was conducted by Kim Olivares, Deputy CFO, Rosie Truelove, Housing and Planning Director, Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Acting Director, Economic Development.
Direction was given to staff to provide a financial modeling and data on street impact fees.
The Mayor recessed the meeting to go into Executive Session at 12:10 p.m.
E. 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.
E1. Discuss real estate and legal matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of an interest in real property and improvements related to the Airport Expansion and Development Program (Real property -Section 551.072 of the Government Code and private consultation with legal counsel -Section 551.071 of the Government Code).
CONDUCTED
E2. Discuss legal issues related to funding, program evaluation, and selection criteria associated with the Project Connect displacement mitigation program and projects funded through ARPA/CARES Act (Private consultation with legal counsel -Section 551.071 of the Government Code).
CONDUCTED
E3. Discuss legal issues related to City of Austin 2022 labor negotiations (Private consultation with legal counsel -Section 551.071 of the Government Code).
CONDUCTED
E4. Discuss real estate and legal matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of an interest in real property and improvements to be used for historic preservation and affordable housing (Real Property-Section 55 1.072 0f the Government Code and Private Consultation with Legal Counsel - Section 551.071 of the Government Code).
WITHDRAWN
E5. Discuss the employment, duties, compensation and evaluation of the City Manager (Personnel matters -Section 551.074 of the Government Code).
CONDUCTED
E6. Discuss legal issues involved with lawsuits and claims related to Austin Police Department during the protests that occurred on May 30 and 31, 2020 and the City's Liability Reserve. (Private consultation with legal counsel -Section 551.071 of the Government Code).
CONDUCTED
Executive Session ended and the Mayor reconvened the meeting at 4:25 p.m.
Mayor Adler adjourned the meeting at 4:25 p.m. without objection.
The minutes were approved on this the 17th day of February 2022 on Council Member Ellis' motion, Mayor Pro Tem Alter's second on a 11-0 vote.
https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=377203