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
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
City employees likely to see raise in 2018. Read More (via @JackCraver): https://t.co/sl7MuFkq4Y August 17, 2017 09:05 AM
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
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
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
eraycollins "@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
DanKeshet "@austinmonitor The hotel site?"
@DanKeshet Yep. I think there was a fight about awnings a couple meetings ago? August 17, 2017 11:58 AM
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
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
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 $$ from vouchers & other assistance. August 17, 2017 02:42 PM
austinmonitor "The city had a law that prevented people from discriminating against renting to people who get $$ 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
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
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
Council to tackle two displacement resolutions today. Read More (via @JackCraver): https://t.co/tix4HvK4I6 August 17, 2017 05:01 PM
BrianMcGiverin "@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
emblizario "@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
EmilyMakesArt "@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
goodmanfound "@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
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
DanKeshet "@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
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
mpusto "@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