City of Austin City Council met Aug. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
WORK SESSION MEETING
The City Council of Austin, Texas convened in a Work Session Meeting on Thursday, August 8,2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, TX and via videoconference.
Mayor Watson called the Council Meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Council Members Alison Alter and Harper-Aladison joined via videoconference. Council Member Kelly was absent.
B. BRIEFINGS
1. Presentation and discussion of the City of Austin Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Proposed Budget. The presentation was made by Kerri Lang, Budget Officer, Financial Services; Erik Nelson, Chief Financial Services Division I, Financial Services, Ed Van Eenoo, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services.
The following proposed amendment% were discussed:
ENVIRONMENT/SUSTAINABILITY
Ryan Alter-2:
Citywide Land Acquisition Fund. $50,000,000 Debt.
Ryan Alter-6:
Home Weatherization Program Expansion. $1,500,000 Enterprise or other funds.
Alison Alter-2:
Climate Co-Lab. $175,000 Ongoing Expenditures, Enterprise or other funds.
EXPENDITURE REDUCTION
Kelly-2:
Eliminating Raises for Councilmembers and the Mayor. $(29,131) Ongoing Expenditurex, Enterprise or other funds.
Kelly-4:
Department Efficiency Savings. $(4,206,064) Ongoing Expenditures.
Kelly-5:
Public Safely Department Efficiency Savings. $(8,556,892) Ongoing ExpenditureN.
Kelly-6:
Progressive Wage Increases. $(505,000) Ongoing Expenditures, Enterprise or other funds.
Kelly-7:
Eliminate Economic Development CIP Transfer. $(35,000) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-8:
Eliminate Building Services CIP Transfer. $(4,455,000) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-9:
Eliminate Health CIP Transfer. S(3,275,000) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-10:
Eliminate PARD CIP Transfer. $(2,822,000) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-11:
Eliminate Library CIP Transfer. $(250,000) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-12:
Eliminate Housing Trust Fund Transfer. $(10,888,617) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-13:
Use Bond Funds for I Belong In Austin Program. $(3,600,000) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-14:
Eliminate the Equity Office. $(1,550,176) Ongoing Expenditures, Enterprise or other funds; (13) FTEs.
Kelly-15:
Eliminate the Innovation Office. $(713,919) Ongoing Expenditures, Enterprise or other funds; (9) FTEs.
Kelly-16:
Eliminate the Sustainability Office. $(648,057) Ongoing Expenditures, Enterprise or other funds; (11) FTEs.
Kelly-17:
Eliminate Equitable Community Engagement Contract. $(30,000) One-Time Expendituref.
Kelly-18:
Eliminate Food System Planning Contract. $(43,500) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-19:
End Basic Income Program. $(1,300,000) One-Time Expenditures.
Kelly-20:
Eliminate Spin Classes Contract. $(150,000) Enterprise or other funds.
Kelly-21:
Eliminate Legal Funding for Illegal Immigration. $(949,858) Ongoing Expenditures.
Kelly-22:
Reduce Council Member Salary Increases. $(200,000) Ongoing Expenditures, Enterprise or other funds.
Kelly-23:
Eliminate Citywide Training Budget. $(225,000) Ongoing Expenditures, Enterprise or other funds.
Ryan Alter-11:
Airport Police FTEs. $(619,416) Ongoing Expenditures; (4) FTEs.
FAMILY SUPPORT
Fuentes-2:
Family Stabilization Grant. $1,300,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Council Member Ellis was added as a cosponsor of the amendment without objection.
Fuentes-5:
Early Childhood Social Services Contract Adjustment. $195,408 One-Time Expenditures.
Velasquez-1:
Parent Support Specialists (PSS). $619,000 One-Time Expenditures.
HOMELESSNESS
Watson-1:
Permanent Supportive Housing Support Services. $4,200,000 Ongoing Expenditures.
Watson-2:
Bridge/Emergency Shelter. $2,864,494 Ongoing Expenditures.
Harper-Madison-1:
DACC Mobile Court and Case Workers. $984,258 Ongoing Expenditures; 4 FTEs.
Council Member Ryan Alter was added as a cosponsor of the amendment without objection.
Fuentes-3:
Rapid Rehousing Program. $4,000,000 One-Time Expenditures
Ryan Alter-1:
DACC expansion with navigation services. $1,250,000 Ongoing Expenditures; $(250,000) One-Time Expenditures; $16,500,000 Debt.
Ryan Alter-4:
Homeless Encampment Response Team. $385,000 Enterprise or other funds; 4 FTEs.
Ryan Alter-7:
Homelessness Prevention. $(661,220) One-Time Expenditures; $387,000 Debt.
Ryan Alter-8:
Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness. $300,000 Ongoing Expenditures.
Qadri-3:
IIomelessness Engagement Assistance Response Program. $2,000,000 Ongoing Expenditures.
MOBILITY
Ellis-2:
Transportation FTEs. $1,105,220 Enterprise or other funds; 10 FTEs.
Ellis-7:
SRTS Bike Bus Crew and Equipment. $250,000 Enterprise or other funds; 2 FTEs.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Vela-1:
Portable for the Gus Garcia Recreation Center for Seniors. $330,913 Ongoing Expenditures; $341,000 One-Time Expenditures; 1 FTE.
Kelly-1:
Support Cemetery Operations. $(206,387) Ongoing Expenditures; $314,403 One l'ime Expenditures; 4 FTEs.
Ellis-1:
PARD Maintenance FTEs and Equipment. $1,502,221 Ongoing Expenditures; $732,000 One-Time Expenditures; 16 FTEs.
Council Members Ryan Alter, Harper-Madison, and Velasquez were added as cosponsors of the amendment without objection.
Ellis-3:
District 8 Dog Park Pilot. $25,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Alison Alter-1:
PARD Maintenance and FTEs. $1,502,221 Ongoing Expenditures; $732,000 One Time Expenditures; 16 FTEs.
PULIC HEALTH
Vela-3:
Restore Sobering Center Budget. $214,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Fuentes-4:
Reproductive Health-Logistical Support. $500,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Velasquez-2:
Substance Use Continuum of Care. $316,000 Ongoing Expenditures.
Qadri-1:
Mental Health Diversion Pilot. $300,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Council Member Harper-Madison was added as a cosponsor of the amendment without objection.
Qadri-4:
Community IIealth Navigator Program. $268,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Council Members Alison Alter, Ellis, and Harper-Madison were added as cosponsors of the amendment without objection.
Alison Alter-4:
liaternity Leave for Sworn Firefighters. $75,488 One-Time Expenditures.
Ryan Alter-5:
Expanded 1Iobile Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT) 24/7. $2,484,680 Ongoing Expenditures; $218,000 One-Time Expenditures.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Watson-3:
Downtown Area Command. $992,900 Ongoing Expenditures; $816,000 Debt.
Council Members Ellis and Harper-Madison were added as cosponsors of the amendment without objection.
Fuentes-6:
AUS Medics. $218,402 Enterprise or other funds; 2 FTEs.
Council Member Harper-Madison was added as a cosponsor of the amendment without objection.
Velasquez-3:
EMS Communications. $431,614 Ongoing Expenditures; $60,000 One-Time Expenditures; 4 FTEs.
Council Member Harper-Madison was added as a cosponsor of the amendment without objection.
Vela-2:
Allocating two additional existing officer positions to the Vehicle Abatement ITnit.
Council Members Fuentex and Ilarper-Madison were added as cosponsors of the amendment without objection.
Ryan Alter-9:
Additional Security Cameras in the Parks. $134,400 Enterprise or other funds. Council Member Ellis was added as a cosponsor ofthe amendment without objection.
Ryan Alter-10:
Additional Fire Department Cadet Class. $1,750,000 Ongoing Expenditures.
Pool-1:
EAIS Domain Demand Unit Pilot. $142,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Council Members Harper-Madison and Velasquez were added as cosponsors of the amendment without objection.
Ellis-5:
Firearms Examiner FTE. $108,004 Ongoing Expenditures; $6,500 One-Time Expenditures; 1 FTE.
Council Member Velasquez was added as a cosponsor of the amendment without objection.
Qadri-2:
Counter Axiault Strike Team Paramedics (CASTMED). $275,702 One-Time Expenditures.
Council Member Harper-Madison was added as a cosponsor of the amendment without objection.
Alison Alter-3:
Anti-Hate Education and Outreach. $200,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Alison Alter-5:
HSEM Software. $2,500 Ongoing Expenditures; $90,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Mayor Pro Tem Pool and Council Member Harper-Madison were added as cosponsors of the amendment without objection.
VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Ellis-4:
Gun Locks & Safe Storage Campaign Restoration. $30,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Council Member Veltisquez was added as a cosponsor of the amendment without objection.
Velasquez-4:
C)ffice of Violence Prevention'+ Community Violence Intervention programming. $200,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Velasquez-5:
Domestic Violence Unit -Fleet. $6,117 Ongoing Expenditures; $75,000 Debt.
Ryan Alter-12:
Office of Violence Prevention, Crisis Intervention Specialist. $65,000 Ongoing Expenditures.
Alison Alter--6:
Domestic Violence Unit. $119,806 Ongoing Expenditures; $20,416 One-Time Expenditures.
OTHER
Fuentes-1:
Flood Insurance. $100,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Fuentes-7:
AI Training and Upskilling. $75,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Vellisquez-6:
WORK SESSION JIINITTES THITRSDAY, AUGUST 8,2024
Feasibility Study, LGBTQIA+ Community Center. $180,000 One-Time Expenditures.
Vela-4:
Creating an International Division. $130,006 Ongoing Expenditures; $4,500 One Time Expenditures; $241,441 Enterprise or other funds; 3 FTEs.
Ellis-6:
Housing Policy Impact Analyst. $131,000 Ongoing Expenditures; 1 FTE.
Watson-4:
Adoption & Foster Coordinators. $207,704 Ongoing Expenditures; 2.5 FTEs
Kelly-3:
Use of City Property Revenue Increase. $2,760,312 Ongoing Revenue.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
Qadri:
A resolution directing the City Manager to negotiate agreements and identify funding to address Austin'§ homeless response system, including but not limited to permanent supportive housing, and return to Council.
Qadri:
Approve a resolution initiating an update of the Downtown Austin Plan.
Ryan Alter:
Approve a resolution directing the creation of a dedicated land acquisition fund for parkland, protecting the City's water supply, improved drainage, and flood mitigation.
Ryan Alter:
Approve a resolution directing the adoption o f a living wage policy for newly solicited social service contracts and develop related program and budget forecasts.
Ryan Alter:
Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to appropriate delinquent property tax penalties and interest to the House Our People Endowment Fund for homelessness prevention services.
Velasquez:
Direct the City Manager to conduct a feasibility study to determine potential properties that can host an LGBTQIA+ Community Center, and establish a Task Force to lead this initiative.
Ellis:
Approve a resolution related to creating a Veterans Affairs Action Plan informed by the 2024 Texas Veterans Needs Assessment.
Ryan Alter:
Approve a resolution directing the use of ITrban Forest Replenishment Fund to expand community tree planting through the City s Neighborwoods program.
Alison Alter:
Approve a resolution relating to cybersecurity, contract efficiencies, and the Information Security Office.
Alison Alter:
Approve a resolution relating to EMS and €)('MC) billing system improvements and investments.
Alison Alter:
Approve a resolution relating to retention bonus payments for Aviation and Austin Water Utility employees.
Alison Alter:
Approve a resolution relating to maternity leave benefits for sworn firefighters.
Alison Alter:
Approve a resolution relating to the Austin Fire Department's overtime costs.
Mayor Watson adjourned the meeting at 12:41 p.m. without objection.
The minutes were approved on this the 29TH day of August 2024 on Council Member Fuentes' motion, Council Member Qadri's second on a 10-0 vote. Council Member Harper-Madison was absent.
https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=436738