TickTock: Austin City Council meeting 9.1.2016
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 by Michael Kanin
TickTock for Friday, September 2, 2016
Participants:
MKanin 174
scATX 1
neville_park 1
eraycollins 1
StephanieKTrinh 1
davidahartman 1
PointAustin 1
Thursday, September 01, 2016 10AM
Checking in from #atxcouncil where we’re watching ALL kinds of stuff. More (for All Access readers) here: https://t.co/KthnzyVQCV #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:08 AM
We are expecting a briefing on issues related to the Zucker Report at 10:30 or after #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:18 AM
we’ve also got dueling requests for a time certain on the expedited permit review item. that’ll be at or after 2 or 6:30 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:19 AM
#atxcouncil is under way #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:19 AM
pulled: 2, 4, 10, 14, 15, 16, 22, 25, 29 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:25 AM
Item 29
#atxcouncil now debating the time certain for item 29. #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:25 AM
@D5Kitchen notes that the 6:30 time certain on 29 is to ensure folks can get here after work #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:26 AM
Item 29
@SheriGalloD10 seems okay with the idea of going with 6:30 for item 29. 29 is expedited permitting #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:26 AM
so 29 (expedited permitting) and 50 (tenant relocation) will both be set for 6:30 or later time certain #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:27 AM
#atxcouncil into citcom on consent agenda #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:28 AM
Item 2
item 2 has been placed back on consent #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:32 AM
consent passes. #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:33 AM
Item 51
seems item 51 will be ppd at 4pm. 51 is a vaguely worded item to amend imagine austin #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:34 AM
Item 46
item 46, the garage apartment item, also seems likely headed for ppd #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:34 AM
Item 34
#atxcouncil heads to item 34, the item to appoint an interim city manager #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:36 AM
CitCom first on 34 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:37 AM
welp, that was quick. after David King, #atxcouncil will head to exec session “for 10 minutes” #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:38 AM
Item 37
first, they will ppd item 37–the champions tract–until 9.22 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:39 AM
37 ppd. yeas: 10 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:39 AM
off the dais: @EllenforAustin #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:39 AM
#atxcouncil now in exec session to discuss interim city manager #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 10:40 AM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 11AM
#atxcouncil looks set to return here in just a second #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:05 AM
#atxcouncil is back #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:09 AM
Item 4
seems we won’t do interim city manager yet. instead, item 4. 4 is for the historic rehab of Oakwood Cemetery Chapel #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:10 AM
i step away from this for one minute and we start talking about zombies #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:19 AM
to be clear: stakeholder is not happy that folks dress up for halloween and head to the cemetery. #atxcouncil #Atxgov September 01, 2016 11:20 AM
@DonZimmermanATX agrees with the sentiment, but not sure how one would police it #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:21 AM
@Oraatx1 was against the idea of limiting halloween events at the cemetery #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:21 AM
but really, we’re talking about restoring a building #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:22 AM
@DonZimmermanATX would rather see the public dollars here go toward irrigation than to chapel renovation #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:22 AM
city staff making an excellent point here: different folks celebrate the dead in different ways #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:24 AM
RT @PointAustin: #21stCenturyProblems #ATXCouncil https://t.co/6xwyJxtEhx September 01, 2016 11:26 AM
MPT @kathietovo notes that she is going to explore using some ACVB funds to help with civic buildings. #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:27 AM
sigh. context.
https://t.co/7jQCDLVtDU September 01, 2016 11:28 AM
https://t.co/7jQCDLVtDU September 01, 2016 11:28 AM
4 passes. yeas: 9 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:29 AM
off the dais: @MayorAdler & @EllenforAustin #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:30 AM
Item 14
we move along to item 14. 14 is for computer hardware, thru the combined purchasing route #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:31 AM
"@PointAustin @DanKeshet @MKanin Canada, too, has pondered this question https://t.co/ETTgb64mkC"
@neville_park @PointAustin @DanKeshet woah September 01, 2016 11:32 AM
citizens here are telling #atxcouncil that they can have staff negotiate this deal #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:34 AM
@DonZimmermanATX suggests that staff has spent only a portion of the dollars authorized since FY13 for computers #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:36 AM
@SheriGalloD10 wants to ppd this pending more information; wants to tie it “more closely to actual spending” #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:39 AM
Here’s an amendment about all this from @SheriGalloD10 #ATXCouncil #atxgov https://t.co/5gS3yUEmWX September 01, 2016 11:43 AM
Council questions here are circling around what appears to be spending below appropriation for these computers #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:43 AM
@GregCasar wonders if unspent funds could be re-appropriated, but notes that appropriation is diff’t than authorization #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:45 AM
basically: staff wants the dollars to get what it needs, but doesn’t always spend that much #Atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:46 AM
sometimes staff asks for authorizations that are over budget, suggests @SheriGalloD10 . #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:47 AM
a few times this morning, CMs have tried to reign in @DonZimmermanATX a bit–mostly on what they see as rhetorical ?s #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:54 AM
14 passes. yeas: 9 #Atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:55 AM
nays: @DonZimmermanATX #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:55 AM
items 15 and 16 then also pass. yeas: 9 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:56 AM
nays: @DonZimmermanATX #atxgov #atxcouncil September 01, 2016 11:56 AM
Item 22
that moves us along to item 22. 22 is for garage door maintenance #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:57 AM
concerns here from @DonZimmermanATX again, who argues that contract has increased unreasonably #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 11:57 AM
staff: contract has increased because #atxgov anticipates more need #atxcouncil September 01, 2016 11:59 AM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 12PM
22 passes. yeas: 9 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 12:00 PM
nay is @DonZimmermanATX #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 12:00 PM
and now the manager’s seat is firing at @DonZimmermanATX, objects to accusations of “sandbagging” #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 12:01 PM
@DonZimmermanATX fires back. “we don’t have any fiscal discipline here” #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 12:01 PM
with that, we head to CitCom #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 12:01 PM
and your @austinmonitor team heads to lunch #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 12:02 PM
#atxcouncil expects to be back about 1:45 #atxgov September 01, 2016 12:02 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 2PM
#atxcouncil set to return #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:24 PM
Item 25
#atxcouncil is back and headed to item 25. 25 is an interlocal w UT for salamander research #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:28 PM
@DonZimmermanATX tries to kill. suggests $ for Rape Kit DNA testing more important. colleagues suggest false equivalency #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:32 PM
@GregCasar confident #atxcouncil will find $ for rape kit testing; @PoolforAustin looks forward to @DonZimmermanATX support #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:33 PM
25 passes. yeas: 8 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:36 PM
abstains: @SheriGalloD10 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:36 PM
@DonZimmermanATX is the nay #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:36 PM
Item 10
#atxcouncil moves along to item 10. this is the Wildhorse PID item. #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:37 PM
our latest on 10 is here, courtesy of @JackCraver: https://t.co/vlwdDKLEUf #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:38 PM
@MayorAdler moves adoption of Wildhorse PID w amendment #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:39 PM
@Oraatx1 will also have some amendments #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:39 PM
@Oraatx1 handed this out to media row prior to discussion #atxcouncil #atxgov https://t.co/Xqrsy6xahb September 01, 2016 02:40 PM
@Oraatx1 worries about the nature of the agreement. doesn’t like #atxgov role as just an observer #atxcouncil September 01, 2016 02:40 PM
Here is the Mayor’s amendment to the Wildhorse PID res #ATXCouncil #atxgov https://t.co/bORsDqz84I September 01, 2016 02:51 PM
MPT @kathietovo wonders if #atxcouncil rejection would allow developer here to continue working w #atxgov? staff: no. September 01, 2016 02:53 PM
but staff also suggests that #atxcouncil should fix its policy #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:53 PM
"@MKanin interesting thx."
@davidahartman ‘course! September 01, 2016 02:53 PM
@Oraatx1 thanks all for additions, but will still vote against this #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:54 PM
10, Wildhorse PID passes. Yeas: 8 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:59 PM
nays: @Oraatx1 & @kathietovo #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 02:59 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 3PM
@GregCasar takes a minute to thank #TravCo for following better builder standards on Wildhorse PID #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:00 PM
#atxcouncil now turns to appoint an interim city manager #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:00 PM
BREAKING: new #atxgov interim City manager lining up to be Elaine Hart #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:01 PM
#atxcouncil will leave ACMs in their current positions. #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:02 PM
@Oraatx1 makes the motion for Hart as interim CMgr #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:02 PM
Elaine Hart appointed interim City Manager. yeas: 10 (unanimous w those on dais) #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:03 PM
#atxcouncil now discussing next steps toward permanent City Manager #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:05 PM
#atxcouncil looking at services that will be performed by contractor looking for new City Manager #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:06 PM
in short: #atxgov will issue solicitation for an executive search firm, with an eye toward recruitment start in November #atxcouncil September 01, 2016 03:08 PM
here’s staff’s initial scope of services for CMgr search firm #atxcouncil #atxgov: https://t.co/D3Jd3uI2XL September 01, 2016 03:13 PM
#atxcouncil moving along to the briefing on Zucker Report progress. #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:25 PM
#atxgov staff suggests that turnaround times on a pilot volume builder program have dropped from +2 weeks to less than 1 #atxcouncil September 01, 2016 03:38 PM
@Oraatx1 & @MayorAdler praising Dev Services Dept head Gonzales for the work he’s done thus far on Zucker report items #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 03:59 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 4PM
@D5Kitchen adds her note of thanks #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:00 PM
@SheriGalloD10 suggests that code department be folded in under DSD #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:02 PM
with all that, briefing concludes. we move along to Austin Housing Finance Corp items #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:03 PM
Item 51
#atxcouncil now set to ppd item 51. 51 ppd to 10/6 #atxgov @lizpagano wrote about this here: https://t.co/4E0pwmUK3N September 01, 2016 04:17 PM
Item 48
we move along to item 48 and 49. 49 is w.drawn. 48 will be ppd until…sometime. (be back later for date) #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:18 PM
Item 47
#atxcouncil now moves along to item 47. 47 is for a MF affordable housing project at 1143 shady lane #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:19 PM
#atxcouncil closes public hearing on 47, passes endorsement of project yeas: 9 #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:20 PM
abstain is @DonZimmermanATX #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:20 PM
#atxcouncil now moves along to the budget item. will hear public testimony on #atxgov budget. September 01, 2016 04:21 PM
Item 45
#atxcouncil will take up item 45 on tax rate first. one speaker here #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:21 PM
#ATxcouncil closes hearing on tax rate. moves along to budget hearing #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:26 PM
Item 44
the budget hearing is item 44. this is the last time that #atxcouncil will conduct a public hearing on the 2017 budget. #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:28 PM
first batch of speakers on budget pushing for $ for DNA lab & rape kit processing. backlog currently 4 years #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:31 PM
Austin Interfaith up next. Looking for $1.2+m for parent support specialists, $ for after-school programs, more #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 04:43 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 5PM
testimony continues in support of $s for DNA lab and rape kit processing #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 05:02 PM
Emotional @GregCasar takes a moment to promise rape survivors and advocates that #atxcouncil will find the $s for rape kit testing #atxgov September 01, 2016 05:12 PM
"@MKanin wait, are you saying it’s backed up by 4 years? Like, that is the oldest one?"
@scATX that was what one of the advocates said. Not in a position to verify just now September 01, 2016 05:14 PM
"@scATX that was what one of the advocates said. Not in a position to verify just now"
@scATX tho, of course, no reason to doubt the number September 01, 2016 05:15 PM
Zach Theater stage hand reps back to push #atxcouncil to insert contract language in Zach lease that would allow collective barg #atxgov September 01, 2016 05:16 PM
Item 48
#atxcouncil pauses budget testimony to ppd item 48. 240 minutes of public testimony left #atxgov September 01, 2016 05:28 PM
should also note that expedited permitting and tenant relocation have about two hours (together) worth of testimony #Atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 05:29 PM
Item 48
item 48 ppd until 11.8 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 05:30 PM
#atxcouncil breaks. will be back at 6:45, 7. #atxgov September 01, 2016 05:30 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 6PM
@DonZimmermanATX piñata at workers’ rally outside #atxgov City Hall #ATXCouncil https://t.co/GgThpRNSfe September 01, 2016 06:22 PM
#atxcouncil due back in about 15 minutes. #atxgov September 01, 2016 06:27 PM
#atxcouncil returns. and picks up where it left off with public testimony on the 2017 #atxgov budget September 01, 2016 06:56 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 7PM
"@MKanin are they really doing all budget testimony before relo??"
@StephanieKTrinh seems so September 01, 2016 07:03 PM
@MayorAdler pauses budget hearing. two remaining items have agreed to limit speakers to 4/side. trying to move to those #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:29 PM
those two items are expedited permitting and tenant relocation #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:29 PM
#atxcouncil will also take more budget testimony in between taking these two items #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:30 PM
Item 50
with that, we move along to item 50. 50 is tenant relocation #atxgov #atxcouncil September 01, 2016 07:30 PM
@d3forpio moves approval of item #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:31 PM
our most recent on tenant relocation is here, courtesy of @JoClifton78704 #atxcouncil #atxgov https://t.co/UqAjjjpLei September 01, 2016 07:32 PM
These amendments were just added to tenant relocation #ATXCouncil #atxgov https://t.co/z6eUCNjxKC September 01, 2016 07:33 PM
#atxcouncil will now hear testimony from advocates on both sides of the tenant relocation ord #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:33 PM
It seems @SheriGalloD10 will eventually offer these amendments #ATXCouncil #atxgov https://t.co/T9RROdxLXr September 01, 2016 07:35 PM
CitCom concluded, #atxcouncil moves into deliberations. @SheriGalloD10 laying out her amendments now #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:45 PM
says @SheriGalloD10, #atxcouncil should be sure that tenants who receive relocation aid be in “good standing” #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:46 PM
“good standing” here means not in arrears on rent for more than 45 days #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:46 PM
@GregCasar won’t support either of @SheriGalloD10 amends. would rather work these issues out in guidelines #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:47 PM
@GregCasar also worries that “unintended consequences” could surface #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:48 PM
@kathietovo also won’t support amendments #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:48 PM
some concern here about 45 day limit making notification timing a manipulative thing #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:49 PM
@GregCasar also worries about what happens w @SheriGalloD10 if tenant is on month to month lease #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:49 PM
@DonZimmermanATX will support. Raises legal concerns, outline here by attny Roger Borgelt #atxgov #atxcouncil https://t.co/frS9kqor9h September 01, 2016 07:51 PM
"@DonZimmermanATX will support. Raises legal concerns, outline here by attny Roger Borgelt #atxgov #atxcouncil https://t.co/frS9kqor9h"
yikes. that image didn’t work. #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:51 PM
@PoolforAustin @d3forpio will also not support @SheriGalloD10 amends #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:52 PM
seems these might have a tough time passing #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:53 PM
@MayorAdler also won’t support #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:53 PM
Gallo amend 2 fails. nays: 8 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:55 PM
yeas: @SheriGalloD10 @DonZimmermanATX September 01, 2016 07:55 PM
@SheriGalloD10 amend 1 fails. nays: 8 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:56 PM
yeas: @DonZimmermanATX @SheriGalloD10 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:56 PM
#atxcouncil now poised to pass tenant relocation w @MayorAdler amends. #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:56 PM
@GregCasar, in his wind up to vote, calls it a great day to be part of a progressive #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:57 PM
@GregCasar closes his remarks to applause in chambers #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:58 PM
@SheriGalloD10 asks where $1.6m to fund relocation program will come from #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:59 PM
staff: haven’t identified funding. it’s on budget concept menu (to be potentially added) #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 07:59 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 8PM
In her remarks, @kathietovo shouts out to former #atxcouncil colleague @LAURAatCityHall for work in getting relocation ord done #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:01 PM
@DonZimmermanATX picks up on @SheriGalloD10 argument that there isn’t any money to fund relocation program #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:02 PM
tenant relocation passes yeas: 9 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:02 PM
nays: @DonZimmermanATX #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:03 PM
#atxcouncil now turns back to take a bit more testimony on budget. after this, they’ll tackle expedited permitting #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:04 PM
Item 29
#atxcouncil moves back now to pick up item 29. 29 is the expedited permitting item #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:23 PM
our two stories from this morning on the issue are here: https://t.co/NnJwzMstQK and here: https://t.co/sNFRhWtII7 #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:24 PM
These amends from @MayorAdler were just incorporates into expedited permitting #ATXCouncil #atxgov https://t.co/IRuqQIek9q September 01, 2016 08:25 PM
@D5Kitchen notes what’s in front of #atxcouncil is a kick-off for a longer process; it’ll be back before final approval #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:26 PM
@GregCasar careful here. says what’s here doesnt add to bureaucracy, doesn’t mandate one particular monitoring org #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:27 PM
that point re: particular monitoring org is response to idea that @workersdefense might end up with that responsibility #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:28 PM
very vocal set of supporters for @workersdefense in chambers tonight #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:33 PM
for those who haven’t followed this, this is about adding better builder regs to expedited permit #atxcouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:37 PM
Jeez. Ya go to the bathroom for a minute and things happen. Expedited permitting passes. Yeas: 9 #ATXCouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:56 PM
Nays: @DonZimmermanATX #ATXCouncil #atxgov September 01, 2016 08:56 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 9PM
#atxcouncil returns to budget discussion. and with that, i’m done for the day. thanks for following along! #atxgov September 01, 2016 09:01 PM
"@MKanin Sposed to take your laptop with you."
@PointAustin or at least my phone September 01, 2016 09:03 PM
RT @StephanieKTrinh: Super thankful @MKanin livetweets! Errbody donate! https://t.co/ZO4MWqhJVX September 01, 2016 09:30 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 10PM
Or, the @austinmonitor’s version is here: https://t.co/2es5eGEpUu https://t.co/VenHMkMpTE September 01, 2016 10:01 PM
Thursday, September 01, 2016 11PM
"Should have been complimented. @JoClifton @JeffStensland @MKanin Can I borrow the @austinmonitor copy editor?"
@eraycollins @JoClifton @JeffStensland @austinmonitor our copy editor is your copy editor September 01, 2016 11:16 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.
