City of Austin Council Message Board

Thank you, Mayor Watson, for bringing this forward. As someone uniquely aware of the wildfire risk, I’m thankful for this preemptive disaster declaration. Wildfires pose a significant threat to our community, and being prepared ahead of time is critical. I appreciate the proactive approach you're ta...

Thank you, CM Fuentes, for inviting me to co-sponsor this resolution. I would like to continue my service on the Public Safety & Crime Prevention Committee, where I currently serve. I also currently serve in a leadership role in Women in Municipal Government. I look forward to contributing furth...

Colleagues, I listened to your conversation about my amendments today and appreciate the conversation and the feedback. First, I watched online as CFO Ed Van Eenoo said the basic income program was not included in the budget. It was my understanding that we authorized the funding in April of this ye...

Colleagues, We are in an affordability crisis. The last 3+ years have been the worst inflationary period since the 1980s. For the first time in 20 years, more people moved out of Austin than moved in. I am proposing we adopt a budget that includes no increases in property tax bills. This will help e...

Colleagues, Many of you may have seen the recent investigative report by KXAN highlighting the frequency of automobile crashes into medical facilities like hospitals and emergency rooms, across the state and the country. The most recent example occurred right here in Austin at St. David’s North, whe...

Colleagues, In yesterday's session, I proposed a revised amendment to Item #76, which pertains to the storage and staging of equipment related to the Old Lampasas Dam Restoration within my district. This amendment is the culmination of extensive community consultations and reflects both resident inp...

Council Member Alison Alter,

Thank you for highlighting the need to hear council member remarks prior to voting on the consent agenda. I agree and support you in this effort and I look forward to hearing remarks from my colleagues prior to voting on the consent agenda today.

Warm Regards,
mk

Colleagues, During a recent meeting I had with the Austin Police Department's Human Trafficking Unit, I was deeply disturbed to learn about the heartbreaking case of a teenage girl who was trafficked from out of state to Austin. She was groomed online for over a year before being lured into this nig...

Colleagues, As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we must carefully consider the economic ramifications of proposed resolutions. With this in mind, I plan to present an amendment during tomorrow's work session, specifically designed to prevent an increase in the base rate from being considered for item 2...

Colleagues, My heart goes out to the families of the officers who have been affected by the devastating events that unfolded today. The unwavering dedication and sacrifice they made in their service to the community will always be remembered and deeply valued. Mayor Watson, I want to express my hear...

Colleagues, I hope this message finds you well. I would like to express my sincere regret that I cannot attend the gathering this evening at 6:00 p.m. due to a previously scheduled event. My heart goes out to the Jewish community in Austin, and I truly appreciate the initiative taken by Shalom Austi...

Natasha, First and foremost, I want to express my deepest appreciation for your courage in sharing your personal challenges with us. It takes tremendous strength to open up about one's struggles, and your willingness to do so is both admirable and inspiring. Please know that your well-being is of pa...

Colleagues, I'm getting questions from the community regarding the possible implications upon passage of item 83. Although I know that this item is to get the conversation started with staff returning with recommendations, I would kindly like to ask these questions in a public forum so that the comm...

Dear Colleagues, I appreciate our meaningful discussions this year and I am excited to tackle this budget together. I'm asking for your support in reviewing my proposed budget amendments. Together, we can craft a strong budget that addresses the varied needs of our community. Your input is invaluabl...

Colleagues, Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting Central Fire Station in downtown Austin and spent time with the dedicated firefighters on shift. During my visit, I gained valuable insights into some of their pressing needs, one of which is the lack of air conditioning in over 20 fire trucks. ...

Dear Colleagues, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the discussion we had today during the Council Work Session. I am truly thankful for the input you provided. I eagerly anticipate our future discussions as we strive to find the best solutions for our community. Following our discussion a...

Colleagues, Today, I hand-delivered a memo to Interim City Manager Garza, urging for transparency and accountability regarding the suspension of the DPS-APD partnership. This memo highlights the importance of open communication and ensuring that decisions align with the best interests and safety of ...

Dear Colleagues, I wanted to bring your attention to a matter of importance that requires action. During my recent visit to the Austin Animal Center, I discovered a distressing situation concerning the overflow of dogs housed in temporary crates at the truck port behind the center. With scorching te...

Dear colleagues, I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for engaging in the extensive and thorough discussions surrounding the license plate reader program. Back in 2022, I initially presented this proposal to the council, and I am grateful that it received approval to pro...

Colleagues, There are two items on the June 1st, 2023 Council agenda that I would like to highlight. Item 48 is a resolution of significant importance, as it pertains to code amendments in City Code Title 25 regarding dwelling unit occupancy limits. During our productive work session, I raised some ...

Colleagues, Every year around this time the Texas Peace Officer Memorial Association conducts an event in downtown Austin to honor fallen officers. This event brings community members together from around the state to share stories, honor the profession, and support each other. This time is also val...

Dear CM Pool, Thank you for taking the time to respond to my proposed amendments to the items you brought this week. I appreciate your feedback and the concerns you have raised. Unfortunately, based on your response, it appears that you are not in support of my proposed amendments. Therefore, I have...

Dear Colleagues, I want to express my gratitude to Council Member Pool for introducing items #24 and #25 on the agenda for this week. As a representative of a district with abundant greenspaces, I believe safeguarding our environment is crucial for the city's future and the well-being of its residen...

Thank you Councilmember Fuentes for bringing this forward. I fully support the objective of your amendment, which I believe is a significant addition to my resolution. I have integrated it into the revised version of my resolution, and I sincerely appreciate our collaborative effort on this matter. ...

Colleagues, I hope this message finds you well. As we prepare for the upcoming council meeting on April 13th, 2023, I would like to submit the following proposed amendments for consideration. This first amendment for consideration directs the City Manager to explore possible partnerships with commun...