TipSheet: City Council, 6.23.16

City Council will hold its regular meeting Thursday. Below is a list of items we’re watching. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda. The Office of the City Clerk posts a copy on its website, here.

18. Authorize negotiation and execution of an amendment to the professional services agreement with LAKE|FLATO ARCHITECTS INC./SHEPLEY BULFINCH RICHARDSON AND ABBOTT INCORPORATED, A JOINT VENTURE for architectural services for the New Central Library in the amount of $1,327,289, using existing funds and authorizing an additional $1,300,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $12,154,700.

Monitor’s take: As reported by KXAN, the budget for the new Central Library is alrady $30 million over budget.. and now needs another $1.3 million. In addition, its opening has been pushed to spring 2017. We don’t think this is going to be a very popular item.

19. Authorize negotiation and execution of amendments to the professional services agreement with OPTICOS DESIGN, INC., for additional architectural, urban design, planning, and engineering services for CodeNEXT, the Comprehensive Land Development Code revision and the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan project in the amount of $1,065,215.40, for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,712,462.60.

Monitor’s take: Similarly, more money for the Land Development Code rewrite that is now about two years behind schedule may not be too popular either. Though the discussion might be interesting — Mayor Steve Adler paid his first visit to the CodeNEXT Advisory Group this past week.

20. Approve an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 2-2 relating to campaign finance reporting and disclosure requirements associated with direct campaign expenditures; and creating an offense.

Monitor’s take: Dark money y’all!

22. Approve an ordinance creating a Media Production Development Zone pursuant to chapter 485A of the Texas Government Code.

Monitor’s take: This is pretty interesting! It looks like a reaction to state cuts to film and video game incentives, which have taken a local toll on the local creative economy.

33. Approve execution of an interlocal agreement with Travis County for the creation of a Local Government Corporation to manage and operate a planned sobriety center.

Monitor’s take: Hey! The sobriety center is moving forward at the city! We’ve covered this actually so much in the past. Check it out.

56. Authorize negotiation and execution of a 12-month contract through the GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION cooperative purchasing program with GENERAL SALES ADMINISTRATION, INC. DBA MAJOR POLICE SUPPLY to provide the Vigilant Solutions Automatic License Plate Recognition System in an amount not to exceed $350,000, with five 12-month extension options in an amount not to exceed $110,000 per extension option, for a total contract amount not to exceed $900,000.

Monitor’s take: We haven’t really been covering this issue of license plate scanners, but there sure are some facets of our population that are quite taken with the deal.

57. Authorize negotiation and execution of a 60-month contract with TASER INTERNATIONAL, or one of the other qualified offerors to Request For Proposals EAD0124, to provide body worn cameras in an amount not to exceed $9,428,236, with two 12-month extension options in an amount not to exceed $1,225,179 for the first extension option, and $1,547,811 for the second extension option, for a total contract amount not to exceed $12,201,226. Related to Item #58.

58. Authorize negotiation and execution of a 60-month contract through the TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES cooperative program with AT&T, for the purchase of smartphones and wireless phone services to enhance the functionality of body worn cameras in an amount not to exceed $5,029,200. Related to Item #57.

Monitor’s take: Ahhh. Body cameras. We, and everyone else, have been covering the imminent arrival of body cameras for our police force. As a refresher, here’s what went down the last time Council tackled the issue.

63. Approve an ordinance on third reading to grant a taxicab franchise to ATX Coop Taxi.

Monitor’s take: Hey, check it out! It’s the final vote on this.

73. Approve a resolution relating to the compensation and benefits for the City Clerk.
74. Approve a resolution relating to the compensation and benefits for the City Manager.
75. Approve a resolution relating to the compensation and benefits for the City Auditor.
76. Approve an ordinance relating to the compensation and benefits for the Municipal Court Clerk.

Monitor’s take: The city’s direct hires are getting their Council evaluations (and probably raises.) While it’s a relatively routine item, this year’s evaluation of City Manager Marc Ott has been a bit fraught. At the moment, he may be about to entertain another position in another city and Council Member Don Zimmerman is calling for his removal. Good times.

80. Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to create a Bond Election Advisory Task Force and present briefings on related issues in anticipation of a 2018 Bond process.

Monitor’s take: Oh, cool, a new conversation about bonds.

83. Approve a resolution relating to a 2016 transportation bond program and other future bond programs.

88.Approve a resolution relating to financing options for the development of mobility projects and potential future bonds.

Monitor’s take: ps- Here’s the actually conversation about bonds. We expect it to take roughly forever, while you wait for it to conclude feel free to read up on what happened during the work session.

90. Approve second and third readings of an ordinance amending the Land Development Code (Title 25) and related provisions relating to site development standards for public primary and secondary educational facilities. (THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ITEM WAS HELD AND CLOSED ON JUNE 16, 2016)

Monitor’s take: And here, finally, is part two of the proposed changes to charter school development regulations. Here’s what happened last week.