Begin forwarded message:
From: "Ann Kitchen, City Council District 5" <district5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: June 6 Council Agenda Highlights
Date: June 5, 2019 at 6:33:31 PM CDT
To: nelly.ramirez@xxxxxx
Reply-To: district5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Council Member Ann Kitchen
District 5, Austin, Texas
June 2019
June 6 Council Agenda Highlights
View as Webpage
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZCvePwH5Qu9NMKf-R_I5W-qLuwGskGds9izjpaIsaHiA0YPtzMcB7360cG7g21HcGwbnnAdz4jfa7CXmcVNgM7Q==&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
Dear Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to highlight a few items on
tomorrow's City Council Meeting agenda that I thought you should be aware of:
Housing-Focused Shelter Pilot (Item 49)
Prohibitions on Camping, Solicitation, Sitting/Lying/Sleeping Outdoors (Item
45)
Butler Pitch & Putt Golf Course Management (Item 39)
Honoring William H. Russell and "Blowing Sink" Cave and Karst Preservation
(Item 48)
Thank you for your attention to these items, and if you have any other
questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me or my staff and we
will be glad to assist you.
Thank you for all that you do for our community.
Sincerely,
Ann Kitchen
City Council, District 5
Housing-Focused Shelter
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZC832ohTl9mG6In7r11PMBkMbK8hnv9zk654kQshEmXddsl2e6wEOywhGGkijRaLlsVXQmtzRaXPwB5rlFUa6wQ==&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
As I mentioned last week
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZWuLMsoNQg62roA4gE3aaQ3OcTxAY8k53T4IjSGdUB-DaZ346Zxz6NjTZ8Z5QxjBXi1I4mbtX1EV5Nlp8uFTbl1hc3XQerCcgw==&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>,
on June 6 my colleagues Council Members Pool, Harper-Madison, Renteria,
Ellis and I are calling for a new Housing-Focused Shelter with support
services for people experiencing homelessness.
The resolution (Item 49
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZmRDosWX5XmJJvX5df9GyGfjB4zIrnNSAhI48Nt2Shq4b5K0vLTwm0g-danP3VT_7GhomyfB8w1lxHy6qdnW2a3nBZoRgb7mGZi6PxwbvTGYNFiuXKReg6L3V_XLPUVy82UGAMU37QzObhvZDkE3HIHscW4ytLu8m&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>)
directs City departments to move forward with (1) purchasing property
identified by staff for a Housing-Focused Shelter Pilot, (2) identifying
sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget to operate the shelter and
services including funds for a Housing First Rapid Rehousing and/or Permanent
Supportive Housing rental assistance and support services program for persons
living in the shelter, and (3) initiating the procurement of a service
provider to operate the shelter.
We know that this challenging issue will not resolve itself. Please contact
my fellow colleagues on Council
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZtYtuWd2UQRZVhsH-3-5cm_BnHAUGZZk8oP_3pnQdDjaJulUDVYDPGPSQl5mT4SbG9SnF54Z78RCu4NW9DHdDyqc8RaDGthMSN57GCIKW99CGTTngLsPbNfYP9V3WXU35&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
and let them know that now is that time to act and that you support approval
of item 49 for a Housing-Focused Shelter pilot.
For more information, you can read the editorial we published in today's
Austin American Statesman:
https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20190604/kitchen-why-we-need-housing-focused-shelter-for-citys-homeless
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZmSsWRYEt8tHd05Zicvsa3R_elMltc3GcNtGL2yXw565ApJHSIR5B8K6ki8RJwKIHx6YhaYgW80tbrbMglpf2rS3iXbiR9j2JHsldk-67m_0gCDFb30M_ZPkcr4KidnXlgkITE8-e9OE7rhAeOzSN5CM66_2B2vpWFuikKikesSgdUsytmizaloot-63BF7TE&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
You can also read our press release here:
https://mailchi.mp/austintexas.gov/austin-council-members-call-for-new-housing-focused-shelter-with-support-services-for-people-experiencing-homelessness?e=8974bbd358
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZdsTaRt2IU8r5Xg31KNJfz9YMUlOi4PU48v75JYRNnznZrUgwWsePLf0t2f5_ixk8FJu-rxUSUw9EQYszzbEZEs4T1KmiVujkV7BJk28g3oggXujcGDUH8TslDsnYs3otUDwtCvlS6Bzqg58jH8Q0E0NHmOF-kJYXCrxpBOk5bIbgcT_xKrHdS0Mbj_ai5gRQ9HG3-Yq8cMl9wqBJeJ7RwfPkiXrgZ5S2QEXtQlXnvEqgB36Rc6c-Nke5anyidfB0zAF7y-otySF5ZcwE8C4aSQ==&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
The Housing-Focused Shelter item has been set for 4pm time certain, which
means the Council will not take the item up before 4pm.
I also want to thank Andrew Bennett and Helaine Bach from Bennett Creative
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZS_jiW_y9tjfsZ2vDK_7xp-l0D7_JarsmyJQ4xVUWyWzW-JfMMlw694WjCi7fs5kDKDOOOjs4Fqa8NXk5gY2oQksZ83GY-SKq&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
in D5 for collaborating with our office, pro-bono, on the animated video
linked above. They heard about our efforts at our recent Budget Town Hall
Meeting and volunteered their services to help us get the word out about this
work.
Prohibitions on Camping, Solicitation, Sitting/Lying/Sleeping Outdoors
At Tuesday’s Work Session, the Council agreed to postponing the vote on Item
45
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZsfuz_TJ32nHnpo0NrkV3y9cq5uvudj3oD-X7b3hO5Elaw2bPDLZfnfqOZihAatSKe4c6nV-ULjS48osuyIqZdHgh5hfSFuflbZzLW_IxZCkeUShaBdxlXvUg29kBQ0-HHMDl-3YTVyINfDz39lpLJw2p96NpQisn&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
to our June 20th meeting. Item 45 addresses three ordinances related to
homelessness: proposing revisions to the (1) camping and the (2) no sit/no
lie (which is limited to the downtown area), and (3) repealing the no
panhandling ordinances. We will begin the conversation tomorrow and will hear
from people who sign up to speak.
I believe these are important conversations that we must have as a community.
It doesn’t make sense, nor is it humane, to treat the daily necessities of
life as crimes for people who are homeless with no options for shelter or
housing. It is not a crime to be homeless.
City ordinances should focus on activities/behaviors that risk the safety and
health of people experiencing homelessness and the community. We need to be
clear on what this means and we need to create a common understanding among
the public, law enforcement, and the courts. I share the concerns and
frustrations of many that what is happening now too often does not address
problem situations, fosters confusion/misunderstanding and results in cycling
in/out of the courts.
We need to move as effectively and quickly as possible to provide solutions -
the answer to homelessness is housing. People need safe, healthy places to
stay where they can be connected as quickly as possible to housing.
Butler Pitch & Putt Golf Course Management
At tomorrow’s Council meeting, I will make a motion to reconsider the Butler
Pitch and Putt procurement item so that the local small business that has
operated this Austin icon for over 70 years has the opportunity to have their
bid evaluated.
The Butler Pitch and Putt has been operated successfully and means a lot to
many families in our community. It’s in the best interest of the city to
consider the current contractor's proposal along with the other proposals, so
that the City has the opportunity to choose the best of all applicants.
On many occasions the Council’s role is to make judgement calls and to
consider what is in the best interest of the city. These decisions often
require a review of all the facts of the situation. It makes sense to me that
local small businesses should have the chance to participate. Yes - the
current contractor made a technical mistake on their paperwork – but,
weighing that against the future of Austin and our small businesses, and
especially this Austin icon, I believe the decision about under whose
stewardship this icon continues should be decided on the merits of a fully
vetted evaluation, not on a technicality.
The Butler Pitch and Putt procurement Item has been set for 2pm time certain,
which means the Council will not take the item up before 2pm.
Honoring William H. Russell and "Blowing Sink" Cave and Karst Preservation
Many in the central Texas caving community are mourning the passing of one of
their great discoverers and teachers. William (Bill) Hart Russell’s passing
on March 21, 2019 was memorialized with a proclamation declaring June 6th as
“William H Russell Austin Cave Heritage Day”. I’m very proud to have
sponsored a resolution
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZ2J0Du0RTBaFqo7zITOg4RAQSrC5zFsJpjt50r4EcA9YCUMjA81HenvdVeYtOfQ7zGRuVcgdW61etMIv9Uoj5u_z3MkRsGmilQe3oRNT9XRziZGw70-n674gOg_7lQwtV&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
to further recognize his contributions to Austin’s environmental legacy by
renaming a tract of land that was donated to the city through his discovery
of caves on the site and his lobbying of the owner to donate as a preserve.
Bill Russell is recognized by many as their mentor and credited for greatly
contributing to the discovery and protection of caves in the City of Austin
and Wildlands Conservation Division. He is also credited for discovery of the
Sistema Huautla Cave
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZJzzUIpgB6DHvJaSd1QiwHW5fYV5RFDva3b1kWgxKw5ECkZ0xBn5hKkZFR4fw2SznfJzJzNtZoDbRynhvcO-9jQ==&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
in the rugged mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. That cave system is considered
one of the world’s premier caves – so deep and extensive that it is still
being explored today and is now known to be the deepest proven hydrological
system in the western hemisphere and the eighth deepest in the world.
For more information on Bill Russell’s accomplishments and the Sistema
Huautla,read the full Council Resolution
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZ2J0Du0RTBaFqo7zITOg4RAQSrC5zFsJpjt50r4EcA9YCUMjA81HenvdVeYtOfQ7zGRuVcgdW61etMIv9Uoj5u_z3MkRsGmilQe3oRNT9XRziZGw70-n674gOg_7lQwtV&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
or visit the Sistema Huautla website.
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZJzzUIpgB6DHvJaSd1QiwHW5fYV5RFDva3b1kWgxKw5ECkZ0xBn5hKkZFR4fw2SznfJzJzNtZoDbRynhvcO-9jQ==&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
You can also visit this link: https://www.atxwatersheds.com/VR-CaveTours/#/ ;
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZZzLSntBZKAZeHyWhTEF_bwYUMr66E7FjrlBQnlzYAw4EfWj2I56IQ1g-XjFoZPLogt6APapURpgeYLhehGRP9GHsrWvDuxPpDOa3ajAgA6d8IndaBIT5JeuAZpu-CMRNw==&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
to tour the local Millennium and Wildflower caves. The tour was created by
the city’s Central Technology Management and Watershed Protection departments
and was awarded a “Best of Texas Award” from the Digital Government Summit.
The virtual tool is a great way to experience a visit in the caves from
climbing down into its depths to seeing the colorful formations and spaces
that exist underground.
If you are a fan of Texas springs and creeks and want to better understand
why cave restoration and preservation are critical to protecting water
quality and quantity of spring flows, please visit the links and learn more
about the City of Austin’s conservation land, cave, and karst preservation
work.
CONTACT US
512-978-2105
City Council Member Ann Kitchen - District5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:District5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Constituent Liaison - Dora.Anguiano@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:Dora.Anguiano@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Policy Advisor - Jason.Lopez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:Jason.Lopez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sr Policy Advisor - Ken.Craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:Ken.Craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Chief of Staff - Donna.Tiemann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:Donna.Tiemann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Visit our Website
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZR6vdGQbF_XriNDIfUPRUC3d4wF12v7Hc7MuZz-k_jlU2PhS-F98NmpEnOJY9LbcJFDoPyo7aSsjdWwWEbnuBCbQn-t9WdJvG0CAd3ALGBxtfGGjb8JlHjY_fU0EXvM1ow==&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
STAY CONNECTED
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZWyS6ynCVq1sVI4LJI0QO2bm1X6LpoyuwVJu2PKKUFGTi5qwcHuvtEGDMy7krnN22-ggBWdQ8YbmzMmLb0yWCPun5ehE_hMFhrxVZ-tKqSTW08L56T5Pf9k5gQTjKX6k2pG4QoKNneWnuAGsxQrdeoOKPGYtNmmWIOGko4WmcXxTVCh7-JgSO44=&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001x9lVlkqPP6nDWxeu9MVHGdoWshnYqF2c17RE_eVUnFGW3oUDiejuZR9VcoEoG45l9Ds8yFjn5R-2S5dvcvqT33zVH2JjnRbOUUmSe6eChN_O9xz2N3D_9Sk4lnw_9UhmxlRZMeVVwn4ti7AA54rzg5Go98CvTIHw&c=DF7r3MAj1B1U2vbOggVpbfomtK_fi27LeXnbLAF05NADzE_Rb-TbYg==&ch=ePQb2PPBudWvSeuvLq8SWXp3S6NJrRyprdc9cwwRQNo0NI5nBxJIPQ==>
City of Austin, District 5 | 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701
Unsubscribe nelly.ramirez@xxxxxx
<https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=0016ZpwwMcm7TTLPhRNdU2IKQ%3D&ch=a48de160-79fc-11e6-91c3-d4ae528eb986&ca=c6db7b8b-d117-487f-b4be-593925ec5738>
Update Profile
<https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=0016ZpwwMcm7TTLPhRNdU2IKQ%3D&ch=a48de160-79fc-11e6-91c3-d4ae528eb986&ca=c6db7b8b-d117-487f-b4be-593925ec5738>
| About our service provider
<http://www.constantcontact.com/legal/service-provider?cc=about-service-provider>
Sent by district5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:district5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> in
collaboration with
<http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF19_3GE>
Try email marketing for free today!
<http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF19_3GE>
