TickTock: Austin City Council meeting 2.9.2016
Monday, February 13, 2017 by Michael Kanin
TickTock is the sortable transcript of @austinmonitor live Tweets from the most recent Austin City Council meeting.
TickTock for Friday, February 10, 2017
Participants:
austinmonitor 141
TopherJNeely 3
cubbie9000 2
slyarak 1
THCBikeTours 1
eraycollins 1
juliogatx 1
Thursday, February 09, 2017 9AM
Critics call foul on medical school’s spending. Read more (via @cubbie9000): https://t.co/p3unweujEt #atxgov February 09, 2017 09:00 AM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 10AM
Howdy, Austin! City Council is just getting started, and we’re here to monitor today’s meeting for you! #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:08 AM
Item 26
Item 26 withdrawn, poor @MayorAdler still sounds like he’s under the weather. February 09, 2017 10:09 AM
Item 46
Items pulled for discussion: 5, 17, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35. Item 46 set for time certain 4pm (that means no earlier) #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:12 AM
Items 30 and 31 destined for postponement, apparently. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:13 AM
Gus Peña up now, talking on a bunch of things. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:15 AM
"@austinmonitor did they officially get postponed?"
.@TopherJNeely It was kind of vague, but yes, looks like Items 30 and 31 will be heard on March 2. February 09, 2017 10:16 AM
@Alison_Alter now asking questions about the future of One Texas Center, notes that will not be determined today. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:20 AM
David King reiterates the point, and says the future of One Texas Center will most def involve a public process. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:21 AM
Item 24
On Item 24, Mayor Pro Tem says she is still working through the answers to her questions about cost of moving departments. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:23 AM
@D5Kitchen says that she doesn’t want moving planning departments to cause a slip in recent service improvements. February 09, 2017 10:25 AM
Item 33
Speaker now asks that Item 33 include the Dedrick-Hamilton House, which is an African-American center in town. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:29 AM
Item 8
@kathietovo notes a mental health future for Austin State Hospital, she supports but notes “revitalization” should be cautious. (Item 8) February 09, 2017 10:33 AM
Item 3
.@EllenforAustin is not into item 3, notes the cost of Waller Creek project is now 6x the original cost and may never end. February 09, 2017 10:34 AM
Cost for the Waller Creek Tunnel project, by the way, now at more than $162 million. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:36 AM
@EllenforAustin also abstains from the NHCD items, does not support the blanket endorsement for tax credits February 09, 2017 10:37 AM
In case I miss something during my multitasking, here’s a reminder that you can also follow along here: https://t.co/47DmfWzN1Z February 09, 2017 10:38 AM
Ethics item approved, with a strike to the Council/personnel section. (Will describe this better in a bit.) February 09, 2017 10:40 AM
Item 17
Now talking on Item 17 – one of the projects seeking a city endorsement for tax credits. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 10:43 AM
All Access Readers! Get a head start on today’s #atxcouncil meeting with @lizpagano’s TipSheet: https://t.co/V2SWBKUT1K #atxgov February 09, 2017 10:45 AM
Project in Zilker, ANC pres David King supports the project, but has concerns about the new addition of market-rate units, wants them out February 09, 2017 10:45 AM
Developer defending the market rate housing, says they provide housing for those who may start to earn more. 10 units. February 09, 2017 10:48 AM
Now on to 25 — pulled by @DeliaGarza , who has questions about the Municipal Utility District February 09, 2017 10:57 AM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 11AM
Item 29
We’re now on to item 29, picking a search firm for the city manager. @GregCasar forwards the idea of picking Russel Reynolds. February 09, 2017 11:12 AM
@GregCasar explains that he likes the approach of searching public and private sectors, and a willingness to be flexible February 09, 2017 11:14 AM
@kathietovo seeks clarification on whether RR has ever done a city manager search #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 11:14 AM
It’s true, Russel Reynolds has never done a city manager search. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 11:15 AM
@LesliePoolATX says she had her own questions about TNCs and CodeNEXT, to see if they got past “Austin brand.” Two did, RR was less strong February 09, 2017 11:17 AM
@LesliePoolATX says she will motion for GovHR, if the RR motion fails. Seems the main sticking point is their pub sector experience February 09, 2017 11:27 AM
Now @DeliaGarza makes a sub. motion, because no one wants the bad taste of voting against RR February 09, 2017 11:28 AM
@JimmyFlannigan likes the 3rd firm – R. Anderson and proposes a process that is above my head. February 09, 2017 11:30 AM
Everyone is listing their rankings now. Not sure we need to record all that, but we do appreciate the civility. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 11:31 AM
@kathietovo moves for a straw poll. February 09, 2017 11:32 AM
@MayorAdler getting deep into Robert’s Rules of Order here, with some fancy ranking vote ideas. February 09, 2017 11:33 AM
Notable: @Alison_Alter refuses to list a second choice, going against the “compromise-y” vibe. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 11:40 AM
@MayorAdler now explaining the results, which @kathietovo points out are inconclusive. February 09, 2017 11:44 AM
RT @JackCraver: I’d love to have ranked-choice elections. Unfortunately, video of this #ATXCouncil meeting will convince everybody it will… February 09, 2017 11:45 AM
The lesson of all this might be that sometimes it’s just easier to vote against things? #hater4life #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 11:46 AM
Note: @austinmonitor is not actually a hater. February 09, 2017 11:47 AM
Russell Reynolds wins contract in a vote of 7-4, with Tovo, Pool, Garza, Kitchen against. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 11:49 AM
@Alison_Alter out of the gate with motion to eliminate a slew of committees, 2nd by @JimmyFlannigan (other CM who has not served on them.) February 09, 2017 11:51 AM
Guys, that last discussion may have been a warm up for this one. Looking to eliminate a bunch of committees here. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 11:54 AM
@LesliePoolATX wants the same thing as @Alison_Alter , but wants a rewrite to stress those being retained, not eliminated. February 09, 2017 11:55 AM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 12PM
Audit: City needs new flood buyout policy. Read more (via @JoClifton78704): https://t.co/Vdm1xTvug2 #atxgov #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 12:00 PM
@kathietovo making a larger point here, about the fact that Austin does not have a strong mayor, in terms of determining committee members February 09, 2017 12:02 PM
@MayorAdler noting this item might take a minute, and recommends that they should take it up again after lunch February 09, 2017 12:05 PM
Going to take a vote on the “Alter Amendment” now, with a promise of MORE STRAW POLLS this afternoon. February 09, 2017 12:06 PM
Voting on getting rid of Public Safety, Public Utility, Open Space, Economic Utility, and Housing Committees. Passes with 9 votes February 09, 2017 12:09 PM
@MayorAdler says they expect to be back at 1:30 Going to have Citizens Communication now, and then lunch. Committees won’t be back until 2 February 09, 2017 12:11 PM
Okay, we’re going to lunch. See you when they get back! #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 12:12 PM
Our quote of the day for Thursday, February 9, 2017. Read more at https://t.co/kkJ7gq1PV4 #atxgov https://t.co/xRDJqAQT5F February 09, 2017 12:30 PM
What We Woke Up To: February 9, 2017 – https://t.co/TtcNZJXGfo February 09, 2017 12:30 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 1PM
Rude Mechs look to city to stay in business. Read more (via @cubbie9000): https://t.co/Qkh0camLzm #atxgov February 09, 2017 01:00 PM
Hey! We’re back. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 01:49 PM
Looks like #atxcouncil is going to take part of the meetings revision thing now. Aim is to make them more reasonable lengths. February 09, 2017 01:51 PM
This is still all pretty preliminary, and it will probably take a bit to sort out. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 01:52 PM
@DeliaGarza worries that some of these changes could just defer meeting length, just defer them. Asks for recs, not changes now. February 09, 2017 01:54 PM
@Oraatx1 notes tension on dais around changes, thinks that the Innovation Office or the like might be less emotional about it. February 09, 2017 01:56 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 2PM
@kathietovo worries abt having meetings solely focused on “large public hearings” ,points out the “only zoning” meeting thing didn’t work. February 09, 2017 02:00 PM
.@kathietovo advocates for self-reg on dais, says limiting late community input isn’t the real problem where meeting length is concerned. February 09, 2017 02:02 PM
In terms of process, @MayorAdler hopes for more input from staff to fix some of these problems. February 09, 2017 02:04 PM
In terms of ending meetings at 10, @CM_Renteria points out that is technically the case, they just routinely extend meetings. February 09, 2017 02:05 PM
The proposal would be a switch to a hard stop. Or a hard stop sometimes, judging by that last exchange. February 09, 2017 02:06 PM
Motion right now would make hard breaks, reduce number of people allowed to donate time, close speaker sign ups 1/2 February 09, 2017 02:13 PM
… and maybe make ceremonial meetings and non-ceremonial meetings? 2/2 February 09, 2017 02:14 PM
Right now, though, they are clarifying these are all ideas on the table to make meetings more efficient, no decisions will be made. February 09, 2017 02:14 PM
.@kathietovo again cautions against the dangers of limiting public input, even if it would mean shorter meetings. February 09, 2017 02:18 PM
Now Council is talking about getting meeting backup earlier. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 02:28 PM
@Alison_Alter asks for Items from Council to be submitted two weeks in advance. February 09, 2017 02:31 PM
RT @TopherJNeely: David King, President of the ANC, said limiting the amount of speakers on an item infringes a fundamental right of the co… February 09, 2017 02:33 PM
Talking about Council resolutions, @kathietovo says that sometimes things need to move fast, 2 weeks not always reasonable, can postpone February 09, 2017 02:41 PM
Resolution to come back with recommendations passes unanimously. February 09, 2017 02:43 PM
Item 34
Now back to Item 34, the Council Committee thing February 09, 2017 02:44 PM
Now talking about who should be on what committee, and how to determine that. February 09, 2017 02:46 PM
.@MayorAdler concerns that a sign up sheet may not lead to the most effective committees. February 09, 2017 02:46 PM
.@JimmyFlannigan suggests some might not want to serve on ANY committees, looks like discussion headed to message board February 09, 2017 02:53 PM
Council weighs affordable housing dev in N Austin. Read more (via @KUTsyeda & p’ship w @KUT): https://t.co/8m1256zb3Y #atxgov #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 02:55 PM
Now @DeliaGarza talking task forces, worried about giving the mayor power to unilaterally create one. February 09, 2017 02:57 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 3PM
How do task forces happen? Council will also explore their origins, apparently. February 09, 2017 03:15 PM
RT @austinmobility: 🚦🚧One. More. Day! That’s how long you have to 🤔 and come up with a witty message for our digital roadway sign contest!… February 09, 2017 03:17 PM
Task force discussion continues to be pretty existential. Apparently, some questions about where they come from, where they go. #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 03:19 PM
That all passes unanimously… and now it’s time to sing happy birthday to @EllenforAustin February 09, 2017 03:25 PM
And we are on to zoning. #zoningmatters #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 03:26 PM
41 and 42 ppd to 2/16 47 and 48 postponed to 3/2 February 09, 2017 03:28 PM
Talking Plaza Saltillo now, considering taking it up on first reading, 100 minutes of speakers signed up now, @MayorAdler asks next week February 09, 2017 03:32 PM
We will point out that Austin Oaks PUD is next week February 09, 2017 03:32 PM
The proposal for first reading is limiting the height to 72 feet for now, and discussing more in the interim February 09, 2017 03:34 PM
Staff running down the proposal now. Here’s our recap from the Planning Commission https://t.co/NSJmGrBozd February 09, 2017 03:36 PM
The main issues here are recent changes to height (higher, 125 feet) and affordable housing (less, from 200 units to 141) February 09, 2017 03:38 PM
Staff says that height limit will not impact onsite affordability. Tall bit is for an office tower. However, could impact the fee-in-lieu February 09, 2017 03:44 PM
Staff is not into the fee-in-lieu, though, is recommending onsite affordable units. February 09, 2017 03:46 PM
As a reminder, this was developed after a bidding process. Cap Metro owns the land. And I have no idea where #faderfort will be this year. February 09, 2017 03:47 PM
.@CM_Renteria points out Council could require on-site affordable housing.(Council has put a lot of recent effort into getting this choice) February 09, 2017 03:52 PM
Moving on to speakers now. Developer up first, explaining why they need more height. February 09, 2017 03:55 PM
Heighth is not actually a word. February 09, 2017 03:56 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 4PM
Critics call foul on Dell Medical School spending. Read more (via @cubbie9000): https://t.co/csNfkG4wMh #atxgov February 09, 2017 04:00 PM
.@DeliaGarza retracing the reasoning behind the extra HEIGHT, and is assured that worker protections will remain in place regardless February 09, 2017 04:01 PM
"@austinmonitor I am in hell."
@cubbie9000 We prefer the “live music capital” nickname. February 09, 2017 04:02 PM
RT @TopherJNeely: There is a question as to whether or not developer offered 25% or 15% affordable housing on property #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 04:05 PM
Ok, now Michele Hausman up with Endeavor. Notes Planning Commission ok with 125 foot height, but will build 70 foot if required. February 09, 2017 04:07 PM
Now enumerating the benefits of increased height. Millions more in taxes, more in aff housing fees. February 09, 2017 04:09 PM
Clarification on the “floating” affordable units, which means they will be in the mix of the building, not segregated. February 09, 2017 04:15 PM
"There are no other projects in austin where floating units are a thing #atxcouncil https://t.co/yGUY3EMx16"
@TopherJNeely Actually, I think they were discussing this for Elysium Park last week. February 09, 2017 04:20 PM
Jose Valera now up to rep neighborhood opposition. February 09, 2017 04:22 PM
Valera notes that if aff housing offer doesn’t get better, probably won’t be much support for the increased height. February 09, 2017 04:24 PM
"@austinmonitor hmmm, I dont recall that conversation, apparently council didn’t either, but i believe you….for now…!"
@TopherJNeely haha. I’m not sure I believe me either, but I’m recalling being reminded of this last week: https://t.co/xo5VjLULUI February 09, 2017 04:26 PM
Valera wants to make sure that the RFQ process under which the dev contract was awarded is being honored. February 09, 2017 04:28 PM
Next speaker up, lives real close to to the project, totally supports the increased height. February 09, 2017 04:29 PM
This guy is also repping the neighborhood as a crime-addled, drug-plagued area, though. February 09, 2017 04:32 PM
Jim Duncan up now, in favor of the long-overdue development, concerned about how the project has morphed over the years February 09, 2017 04:34 PM
Notes Endeavor said they wouldn’t want more variances, and thinks the 25 percent aff housing promise was clear February 09, 2017 04:36 PM
"@austinmonitor Addt’l height = offices, right? Is “compatibility” w/ nearby structures reason CM3 wants cap? Or is it brinksmanship for AH?"
@juliogatx Yes, for offices. Not sure of CM3’s motivations, but that did seem to be the neighborhood position, kind of. February 09, 2017 04:41 PM
People (not developers) also speaking in favor of this project, it should be noted. February 09, 2017 04:55 PM
“here” https://t.co/KH0i9Dmg9c February 09, 2017 04:56 PM
Evan Gill up now, reading a Friends of Austin Neighborhoods resolution in favor of the project. February 09, 2017 04:59 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 5PM
Audit: City needs new flood buyout policy. Read more (via @JoClifton78704): https://t.co/L9RBdryXMV #atxgov February 09, 2017 05:00 PM
@bikeaustin rep now speaking in support of the project February 09, 2017 05:04 PM
Lots of speakers in favor, actually. One just said development policies are against the spirit of sanctuary cities. February 09, 2017 05:13 PM
"@austinmonitor Huh?"
.@THCBikeTours Oh, should have said “some” development policies, probably. February 09, 2017 05:18 PM
#atxcouncil now talking over the proposals, @CM_Renteria explaining the sticking points. February 09, 2017 05:25 PM
.@CM_Renteria hopes the extra time to talk over plans can result in a win for everyone. (Time between first and second readings) February 09, 2017 05:28 PM
.@Oraatx1 , who was also part of the original planning process, also pretty disappointed where things stand now. February 09, 2017 05:29 PM
RT @TopherJNeely: .@Oraatx1 I’m not sure who to be more disappointed in, Capital Metro or the Developer #atxcouncil #plazasaltillo February 09, 2017 05:29 PM
Curious about why people were expecting a lot from this development? Here’s some history: https://t.co/CK6si0YscJ February 09, 2017 05:35 PM
Here’s another story from earlier in the process. Interesting that Perry Lorenz was talking 120 foot tower back then https://t.co/Vry07nR50d February 09, 2017 05:37 PM
From 2014: (Endeavor) is planning to offer 25 percent of their units as affordable, with half of those units for residents aged 55 or older. February 09, 2017 05:39 PM
"From 2014: (Endeavor) is planning to offer 25 percent of their units as affordable, with half of those units for residents aged 55 or older."
.@austinmonitor Also a promise of no variances. Maybe we misunderstood, but no one corrected us… February 09, 2017 05:39 PM
CapMetro CEO Linda Watson does not remember a 25 percent affordable housing promise, calls it a “misunderstanding” February 09, 2017 05:42 PM
"That’s what I understood back then. @austinmonitor"
@eraycollins Me too! I was there. February 09, 2017 05:42 PM
Watson says it was “pretty clear” that 15 percent would come from Endeavor, 10 percent would come from elsewhere/the city February 09, 2017 05:43 PM
"Is 120 feet really a “tower”? https://t.co/LkiuMzEH7c"
@slyarak I believe that’s the developer’s word, I am not an architect. February 09, 2017 05:43 PM
Interesting! https://t.co/SWJLiBfQ8x February 09, 2017 05:44 PM
@LesliePoolATX says she understands how the public believed it would be 25 percent, noting that’s what their presentation said. February 09, 2017 05:45 PM
.@kathietovo doing a little research on the 25 percent figure, which was widely reported. February 09, 2017 05:52 PM
Just FYI, CapMetro does let us know when we get things wrong, and that did not happen in this case. February 09, 2017 05:53 PM
#atxcouncil passes this 8-3, Alter and Flannigan and ____ opposed, on first reading. Public hearing remains open. February 09, 2017 05:56 PM
Council will now take a 30 minute break for snacks and such. February 09, 2017 05:57 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 6PM
Item 46
Oops. Missed the beginning of Item 46 — Villas at Vinzon Creek — tune in now if that’s a rezoning you have been following. February 09, 2017 06:59 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2017 7PM
We will probably have to sign off now to get tomorrow’s issue together, but will circle back to this case early next week! #atxcouncil February 09, 2017 07:00 PM
"@austinmonitor Tovo."
@cubbie9000 Thank you! That was a confusing exchange. February 09, 2017 07:04 PM
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Key Players & Topics In This Article
Austin City Council: The Austin City Council is the body with legislative purview over the City of Austin. It offers policy direction, while the office of the City Manager implements administrative actions based on those policies. Until 2015, the body contained seven members, including the city's Mayor, all elected at-large. In 2012, City of Austin residents voted to change that system and as of 2015, 10 members of the Council are elected based on geographic districts. The Mayor continues to be elected at-large.
