Board & Commission Discussion at Audit & Finance

[Ryan Alter]

Colleagues,
In December the Council unanimously passed Resolution No. 20241212-133, which directed a review of our Boards and Commissions as a part of our overall good governance efforts over the past year. The goal of the resolution was to improve the effectiveness of these bodies and address any overlap in mission, issues with attendance, and staff time necessary for their functioning, as well as establish a routine process to review each board or commission to ensure it is still serving its intended purpose.

Within this resolution, we made a set of suggestions for consolidating boards and commissions with similar scope and eliminate ones that are inactive. As a part of the Council direction, we also asked for feedback from our staff and the public, including those boards and commissions that are affected. With much of this feedback now received, I would like to offer a narrower set of recommendations for consideration at the February 19th Audit & Finance Committee meeting:
http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 120610.pdf

If you have any ideas, thoughts, or concerns ahead of considering this item at Audit and Finance on February 19, please feel free to share here so we can continue to make this process as open and transparent as possible.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Natasha Harper-Madison]

Colleagues,
I want to extend my gratitude to Council Member and Vice Chair Ryan Alter for working with our office and for his responsiveness to concerns regarding the proposed consolidation of the African American Resource Advisory Commission and the Austin Rosewood Community Development Corporation (the body primarily tasked with stewardship of the Millenium Youth Entertainment Center) we collectively appreciate the removal of this recommendation.

Additional consolidation concerns include:
1. The proposed consolidation of the Urban Transportation Commission and Resource Management Commission
2. The proposed consolidation of the CTTC (Community Technology & Telecommunications) and Economic Development Commissions

I appreciate all efficiency efforts and the ongoing commitment to ensuring our boards and commissions are structured to best serve our communities and empower our tireless volunteers.
That said, as we move forward with these changes, I would like to better understand what transition plan, if any, is in place to ensure that impacted boards and commissions have the support and guidance needed to continue their critical work effectively. It’s important that we approach these adjustments with clarity and intentionality for continuity, accessibility and responsiveness.
In Peace,
NHM

[Natalie Deller]

On behalf of CM Qadri:

Colleagues,

Thank you, CM Alter, Vice Chair and the Audit and Finance Committee, for starting the conversation around sunsetting inactive boards and commissions and the potential consolidation of others. I want to highlight some of the recommendations you provided that are long overdue and provide feedback.

Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) / Pedestrian Advisory Council (PAC) Merging with the Urban Transportation Commission (UTC):
The BAC and PAC have a long, important history of amplifying and channeling the lived experiences of those who walk, bike and roll into concrete recommendations that help the city continue to protect our most vulnerable road users. It's citizen-led, active, and engaged. We've come a long way on the issue of safety for both pedestrians and bicyclists, but we still have much to do to get to safe streets for all ages and abilities - so I believe it is best to not combine these commissions. I also support the UTC’s recommendation that offers to streamline bylaws and processes to reduce staff time.

Tourism Commission Merging with Downtown Commission:
One of the worries that I share with stakeholders is that we lose sight of tourism beyond Downtown with this consolidation. Some of Austin’s biggest events don’t occur Downtown and I want to ensure that we don’t narrow the scope of tourism in our city to a singular geographic area. In short - Downtown is not only about tourism, and tourism doesn’t only affect Downtown.

Economic Opportunity Commission:
I support the recommendation to consolidate the MBE/WBE and Small Business Enterprise Procurement Program Advisory Committee and the Economic Prosperity Commission, but I have received community feedback regarding the incorporation of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission (CTTC) as well. While I understand the intent, I would like to continue to have conversations with commissioners and stakeholders to better understand whether CTTC would be best as its own commission.

South Central Waterfront Advisory Board (SCWAB) Merging with Downtown Commission:
I support this recommendation. If this merge is done right with adequate representation from SCWAB, we can promote cohesive planning and development for these two areas.

Thank you again to my colleagues for kicking off this conversation. I would appreciate any updates on the timeline of this process be provided in this thread so we can share with our commissioners. I look forward to continuing the conversation and hearing feedback from both my colleagues and the broader community.

Best
Zo