TickTock: Austin City Council meeting 8.17.2017
Monday, August 21, 2017 by Elizabeth Pagano
TickTock is the sortable transcript of @austinmonitor Tweets from the most recent Austin City Council meeting.
TickTock for Thursday, August 17, 2017
Participants:
austinmonitor 110
DanKeshet 2
emblizario 1
BrianMcGiverin 1
goodmanfound 1
eraycollins 1
mpusto 1
EmilyMakesArt 1
Thursday, August 17, 2017 7AM
All Access Readers! Get a head start on today’s Council meeting with @lizpagano’s TipSheet. Read More: https://t.co/42Vw0rHfOE August 17, 2017 07:30 AM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 8AM
Council to tackle two displacement resolutions today. Read More (via @JackCraver): https://t.co/Oul3fLA2qU August 17, 2017 08:01 AM
How zebra mussels will change Austin lakes (and maybe Barton Springs) forever. Read More (via @MoseBuchele): https://t.co/clu9aRkToX August 17, 2017 08:40 AM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 9AM
City employees likely to see raise in 2018. Read More (via @JackCraver): https://t.co/sl7MuFkq4Y August 17, 2017 09:05 AM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 10AM
Austin Water will not be raining down new rate increases in 2018. Read More (via @jdevenyns4): https://t.co/kEwMS3c67E August 17, 2017 10:10 AM
Good morning. (Thanks Bryce!) Plus Items 58 and 76. https://t.co/sVUkmpnyAZ August 17, 2017 10:30 AM
Item 4
Item 4 passes, with CM Troxclair abstaining. Now on to Item 56. August 17, 2017 10:36 AM
This is an item that explores the idea of creating density bonuses in the city’s TODs. August 17, 2017 10:37 AM
This item specifically addresses a Habitat for Humanity project in the Plaza Saltillo TOD, but then might take the idea further later. August 17, 2017 10:43 AM
Right now debating whether to push for family friendly housing in this context. (That means requiring larger units be built.) August 17, 2017 10:49 AM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 11AM
Just got word that Lake Austin has zebra mussels too. Might as well check out @MoseBuchele ‘s story while you worry: https://t.co/lxt5CIGOeo August 17, 2017 11:00 AM
That passes unanimously, with the family-friendly amendment. August 17, 2017 11:04 AM
Whispers: Council considers Habitat for Humanity proposal; more. Read More: https://t.co/KnJu7h8LOf August 17, 2017 11:05 AM
Now up, displacement resolutions. Here’s @JackCraver ‘s story from today on what these are about: https://t.co/HyM4G3QJr0 August 17, 2017 11:05 AM
Susana Almanza up now, explaining that the neighborhood warned the zoning in East Austin was going to lead to the gentrification today. August 17, 2017 11:15 AM
“We’ve now reached a point that we have to do something about the structural racism,” she says, asking the city to change their policies. August 17, 2017 11:15 AM
Item 53
.@adler notes there is a rush on Item 53, with direction to come back within 90 days for first recommendations. #atxcouncil August 17, 2017 11:17 AM
Item 53
Item 53 vote now, amended to rename it “anti-displacement task force.” August 17, 2017 11:19 AM
.@AnnKitchenATX has an amendment that would explicitly include seniors and people with disabilities. August 17, 2017 11:21 AM
Lotsa details being worked out here. Like details too detail-y for even us. #atxcouncil #coffeeplease August 17, 2017 11:32 AM
.@DeliaGarza refutes the idea that displacement is entirely the fault of City Council. The state, she points out, has played a role as well. August 17, 2017 11:35 AM
.@JimmyFlannigan is concerned about more task forces. Points out that displacement isn’t just an East Austin issue. August 17, 2017 11:35 AM
.@EllenforAustin suggests simple google search for answers on why displacement occurs (property taxes, high development fees) votes against August 17, 2017 11:39 AM
Item 53
Item 53 passes 10-1 with Troxclair voting against #atxcouncil August 17, 2017 11:40 AM
"@austinmonitor With @AnnKitchenATX amendment?"
@eraycollins @AnnKitchenATX Yep. I don’t think any of the amendments were rejected. August 17, 2017 11:43 AM
Item 55
Item 55 passes (this is the mapping study) @DeliaGarza expresses reservation about spending $65K this way. Vote 10-1, Troxclair against August 17, 2017 11:45 AM
Item 51
Now on to co-op housing, Item 51. This would essentially allow co-ops to be considered affordable housing, and qualify for various programs August 17, 2017 11:46 AM
Almanza recommends “The Color of Law” during her time up on this. Here’s an npr piece about it, because I like books https://t.co/J2hhP1vfqE August 17, 2017 11:54 AM
That passes unanimously 11-0 August 17, 2017 11:54 AM
Item 15
Item 15 might be up now — checking out whether there is an agreement. August 17, 2017 11:55 AM
This is about a development at 110 West Elizabeth Street. Tovo knows the development well from her time in Bouldin Creek August 17, 2017 11:56 AM
She thought there were some terms established years ago (like 12!) but, apparently that’s not legally the case. August 17, 2017 11:58 AM
"@austinmonitor The hotel site?"
@DanKeshet Yep. I think there was a fight about awnings a couple meetings ago? August 17, 2017 11:58 AM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 12PM
Some stipulations about parking (residential permit parking and elimination (!) of street parking) and garbage collection now in the record August 17, 2017 12:00 PM
Item 15
Item 15 passes unanimously. August 17, 2017 12:01 PM
Item 9
Item 9 now, kind of a perplexing loan thing involving HUD and youth soccer. Here’s some backup: https://t.co/hXz2PTQV3O August 17, 2017 12:05 PM
.@JimmyFlannigan is reeeeal skeptical of using staff and time to build things in the ETJ. Wants to support small business within the city. August 17, 2017 12:10 PM
Passes 9-2 with Flannigan and Troxclair voting against. August 17, 2017 12:17 PM
Item 28
Item 28 will be withdrawn due to a posting error. Now on to citizens communication/ lunch. See you after the break! #atxcouncil August 17, 2017 12:18 PM
What We Woke Up To: August 17, 2017 – https://t.co/WYHdZhpsiS August 17, 2017 12:33 PM
Our Quote of the Day for August 17, 2017. Read More: https://t.co/hexg1g19w6 https://t.co/TvycVcvyL2 August 17, 2017 12:52 PM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 1PM
Item 61
#atxcouncil is back, jumping right into the gen plan, Item 61 August 17, 2017 01:42 PM
.@LesliePoolATX now running through a long list of amendments — @JackCraver could you maybe post a picture of these? August 17, 2017 01:44 PM
This was def. the big point in Pool’s amendments — working on the rest. https://t.co/zp4w8bNaFj August 17, 2017 01:52 PM
.@GregCasar now checking up on how gen plan will impact low-income folks. He’s going to deal with that through the budget, though. August 17, 2017 01:58 PM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 2PM
That passed 10-1 — Troxclair voted against, saying the plan did not advance affordability goals. August 17, 2017 02:36 PM
Item 54
Item 54 up now — would allow the city to move forward with a lawsuit that would allow us to retain source-of-income housing laws. August 17, 2017 02:40 PM
The city had a law that prevented people from discriminating against renting to people who get $$ from vouchers & other assistance. August 17, 2017 02:42 PM
"The city had a law that prevented people from discriminating against renting to people who get $$ from vouchers & other assistance."
But then the state said we can’t have that law. Now Council is going to vote on whether we should sue over that. August 17, 2017 02:46 PM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 3PM
That passed 10-1, with Troxclair voting in opposition. August 17, 2017 03:11 PM
Zoning is over for the day! (That was quick) Of note, the Cesar Chavez junkyard to mixed use case was postponed to 8/31 (Items 65/66) August 17, 2017 03:13 PM
Item 14
Special events ordinance, Item 14, up now. Actually will be postponed, but Troxclair just wants to clear up a few things. August 17, 2017 03:22 PM
Looking at public safety costs for small events, postponed until 8/31 August 17, 2017 03:28 PM
Now the plan for a new development services building at Highland Mall up — $122 million plan. August 17, 2017 03:29 PM
Using a public-private partnership that the real estate office notes saved the city about $40 million on this project, 2-3 years faster August 17, 2017 03:32 PM
Couple things — the city will save money on current lease at One Texas Center, and cost will come out of development services’ revenue August 17, 2017 03:45 PM
Other thing- this plan was originally going to include a child care facility, but that’s up in the air now. Tovo and Garza stress importance August 17, 2017 03:47 PM
Items 16, 17, 18 pass unanimously. August 17, 2017 03:47 PM
CX — MPT Tovo abstains on those items. August 17, 2017 03:48 PM
Item 24
Item 24 passes after a couple questions. Unanimously August 17, 2017 03:50 PM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 4PM
Guys, they have been talking about a tree-trimming contract for a while now. It’s kind of interesting, if you are way into metrics, I guess August 17, 2017 04:38 PM
Which we ARE, but also it seemed like a fine time to multitask. August 17, 2017 04:38 PM
It is interesting, because it brings up the point that if you know the tricks of bidding for these contracts, you have a distinct advantage. August 17, 2017 04:41 PM
It’s not interesting, bc they’ve been talking about it for about 7 hours, and the thing they are talking about is a tree-trimming contract August 17, 2017 04:59 PM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 5PM
Council to tackle two displacement resolutions today. Read More (via @JackCraver): https://t.co/tix4HvK4I6 August 17, 2017 05:01 PM
This guy is local, right? https://t.co/XPGOCEhzrS August 17, 2017 05:06 PM
"@austinmonitor This tweet could almost be about any Council meeting"
@BrianMcGiverin It’s an evergreen. #treejoke August 17, 2017 05:07 PM
Hey here’s the long list of amendments to the gen plan. Thanks, @JackCraver https://t.co/YwisMBymyn August 17, 2017 05:08 PM
RT @JackCraver: And 2nd page of amendments by @LesliePoolATX @austinmonitor https://t.co/Pv6lCYr9a7 August 17, 2017 05:08 PM
.@JimmyFlannigan is so irritated by taking up the contract in this fashion, saying it’s a structural problem, not specific to this case. August 17, 2017 05:11 PM
Looks like they are going to postpone this one, so the solutions made on the fly don’t cause other problems. August 17, 2017 05:12 PM
"@austinmonitor Little known old school Austin trivia: Downtown developer Perry Lorenz is the guy driving that picku… https://t.co/XV4knbiEAj"
@emblizario Oh, wow! I love that trivia! (This is the very best movie.) August 17, 2017 05:13 PM
RT @emblizario: @austinmonitor Little known old school Austin trivia: Downtown developer Perry Lorenz is the guy driving that pickup. https… August 17, 2017 05:15 PM
The postponement here would allow staff to eval. how smart it is to divide up the contract into zones. August 17, 2017 05:16 PM
The fact that the Internet allows me to listen to this discussion while simultaneously monitoring Facebook comments makes me hate the future August 17, 2017 05:20 PM
Motion to postpone fails, 6-4 August 17, 2017 05:25 PM
Motion to reject contracts, and have them rebid in “more than two” zones. August 17, 2017 05:25 PM
That also fails! August 17, 2017 05:26 PM
"@austinmonitor Or perhaps love it?"
@EmilyMakesArt Well, maybe. I was also able to make a pie while I did those things… August 17, 2017 05:29 PM
Original contract passes! 8-2-1 Pool and Garza voted against, Renteria abstains. August 17, 2017 05:29 PM
How zebra mussels will change Austin lakes (and maybe Barton Springs) forever. Read More (via @MoseBuchele): https://t.co/qFkiVXj8rX August 17, 2017 05:30 PM
12 more items left on the agenda. Budget and sign regulations have a bunch of people. August 17, 2017 05:31 PM
Item 48
Now Item 48 — @JimmyFlannigan has a question about whether the interlocal agreement could be outside of AISD too. Staff is open to it. August 17, 2017 05:33 PM
However, including other districts would cost more money, per staff. August 17, 2017 05:34 PM
Passes 9-2, Flannigan and Troxclair voting against. August 17, 2017 05:35 PM
A little housekeeping now. @MayorAdler is going to whip through public hearings w no speakers: Items 69, 70, 71, public hearings closed. August 17, 2017 05:36 PM
.@MayorAdler indicates Council will probably opt out of Items 59 & 60, which are intra-Council budget discussions (can be in work sessions) August 17, 2017 05:39 PM
#atxcouncil now in recess, will be back at 6:15 for public budget hearings and aquatics task force thing August 17, 2017 05:40 PM
"@austinmonitor So does this mean nothing on 61 at this meeting?"
@goodmanfound Oh, it passed with amendments. We will have a story on that tomorrow! August 17, 2017 05:53 PM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 6PM
City employees likely to see raise in 2018. Read More (via @JackCraver): https://t.co/NtwsYgipgm August 17, 2017 06:00 PM
Austin Water will not be raining down new rate increases in 2018. Read More (via @jdevenyns4): https://t.co/iNlFNN00kk August 17, 2017 06:30 PM
Item 52
We’re back to the Aquatics Maser Plan Task Force, Item 52. Alan Pease up now pointing out 13,000 some people have weighed in already. August 17, 2017 06:37 PM
“It’s a 154 page report that comes to an unhappy conclusion: to keep all the pools open requires a lot of money.” August 17, 2017 06:38 PM
Pease says that a task force to find money for pools might be more useful. August 17, 2017 06:43 PM
.@kathietovo explains that the task force is intended to help parse the 154-page report and go over it, not dispute the plan process, etc August 17, 2017 06:46 PM
“sometimes you get so much public input that the public gets tired… I’m concerned about fatigue” — @Oraatx1 August 17, 2017 06:48 PM
(that’s tabled pending CM Pool’s return for a vote.) August 17, 2017 06:49 PM
Now on to signs! First thing I learned: banner signs on planes are hard to regulate. They are regulated by the FAA? August 17, 2017 06:50 PM
Anyway, this is really about digital billboards, which are currently illegal. But for how long??? August 17, 2017 06:51 PM
Sorry, “on-site” digital signs that are run by businesses are allowed. Like that super bright one across from the TX School for the Deaf. August 17, 2017 06:53 PM
"@austinmonitor Oh god I used to live there. Soooo bright."
@DanKeshet Yeah, that was just an excuse to complain about that sign. (I think that digital billboards will actually be less-bright, IIRC) August 17, 2017 06:56 PM
This is kind of a perennial item, but now lawsuits are forcing a change. In the past, the issue has just faded away. August 17, 2017 06:58 PM
Thursday, August 17, 2017 7PM
Whispers: Council considers Habitat for Humanity proposal; more. Read More: https://t.co/LFyguVGOaI August 17, 2017 07:00 PM
For now, the bare-minimum changes to the sign ordinance pass, unanimously. August 17, 2017 07:21 PM
Item 52
Back to Item 52, the Aquatics Master Plan task force. August 17, 2017 07:21 PM
Skirmish over pool equity between CM Pool and CM Casar. Kinda weird. August 17, 2017 07:32 PM
Now we’re on to the public hearings on the budget. No decisions are going to be made today, so we’ll be tuning in, but not obsessively. August 17, 2017 07:49 PM
This is Items 73-75, starting with the Austin Energy one. August 17, 2017 07:50 PM
"@austinmonitor Or the Tyler’s one on Lamar?"
@mpusto Yeah, that was used in one of the speaker’s presentations! August 17, 2017 07:50 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.
