09.24
Are you in favor of democracy, freedom, and the American way? I am. But I have regrettably never been to a city council meeting, despite having lived in Austin for over six years. I have never seen my fair city’s representative democracy in action. For shame. But that is all about to change today. I will be attending Austin’s city council meeting the entire day and updating the blog periodically with my thoughts. I’m also going to see if I can speak on an agenda item (my good friend Karen, a former staff member to a council member, schooled me in the ways of the city council and gave me some information about one particular agenda item.) Try to contain your excitement. Note: This could be more painful than my endeavor to watch an entire season of 24 in 24 hours.
10:15 am: The city council meeting begins. The room is extremely crowded. There is an excited buzz in the air. A rabbi gives the invocation. Really? Awesome. He talks about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Based purely on habit, I tune out. The council then approves the “consent agenda,” which is a long list of about seventy resolutions that do not require discussion amongst the council. Once the consent agenda is approved, approximately 70 percent of the people in the room get up and leave. Where the heck are they going? They came down to city hall for 15 minutes to watch a rabbi and hear the council approve a list of resolutions on which there was no discussion? Ok. See ya. More room for me!
11:06 am: Some nerdy-looking guy from Austin Technology Incubator gives a presentation on Fiscal Year 2009 accomplishments and highlights. He makes a joke about General Motors. This is the only part I understand.
11:48 am: Just talked with my friend Amy, who works for the Mayor. She informs me that no one spends all day at the council meeting and that the agenda item I want to speak on probably won’t come up until 8 pm. This is going to be a long day.
12:56 pm: Citizen Communications is interesting. This is where a limited number citizens who sign up in advance can speak for three minutes on any issue they desire. Although some of the speakers present cogent presentations, some wholly fail. One person, who refers to himself as reeferseed and wears a “911 Was An Inside Job” t-shirt, speaks about some conspiracy between Jimmy Carter and Obama. He also projects a picture of Obama dressed as The Joker for some inexplicable reason. Another woman sings a song about how we shouldn’t pay federal income taxes. Although incoherent, I have to give her credit for the memorization and good rhyming. The council seems unfazed by these presentations. The council adjourns until 3 pm.
2:55 pm: I sign up to speak in favor of agenda item number 97, which involves approving re-zoning for a multi-use development on East Rivershide. This is actually an important issue and is the biggest issue of the day. I better start collecting my thoughts and doing some more research so I can say something coherent.
3:25 pm: My friend Amy gives me an insider’s tour of City Hall and the Mayor’s Office. I meet Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez. Jealous?
4:21 pm: I just composed my statement for agenda item 97. I think it makes sense. At the very least, I’m using a lot of big words and the phrase “ad hoc,” so I think people will just naturally assume I know what I’m talking about. I’m essentially saying that I think the project has a lot of community benefits but that affordable housing issues need to be carefully considered, especially with respect to affordable units created on the project site itself. I’m actually very passionate about the issue of affordable housing, as I worked for a non-profit in DC that dealt with affordable housing issues the summer after my first year in law school.
5:14 pm: Agenda item 97 is up for discussion. But the applicant apparently has a lengthy presentation. May be awhile before they open it up to citizen comments.
5:43 pm: Now some young hippy fellers are playing some of that live music I hear so much about. Council is in recess until 6:30. Hopefully, I will speak shortly thereafter. I’m ready to rock this council!
6:22 pm: It is beginning to dawn on me that I might be here very, very late.
7:15 pm: I just spoke!!! I said something somewhat cogent and nobody booed me. Participating in our representative democracy was exhilarating! It’s better than crack! Here’s the video of my testimony (notice the surreptitious nature of the video).
8:12 pm: Ok. I’m starting to get bored. Let’s wrap it up, folks. Wrap. It. Up.
8:23 pm: A council member just asked the developer about the issue of affordable housing, which I and others raised!!! I guess my comments are well-taken. I just high-fived myself. You missed it. It was awe–wait for it–some.
8:49 pm: Another council member raises the issue of affordable housing. Now the entire council is discussing affordable housing. Boom! The entire focus of the vote on this issue is becoming affordable housing.
9:33 pm: They finally voted!!! They voted to approve the development on first readings (there are two more readings until the project is finally approved) under the condition that affordable housing issues are studied and discussed before the second reading. That’s pretty much what I was advocating for. Who’s your daddy? I’m outta here!
9:38 pm: On my way out of City Hall, a lady from HousingWorks, who also testified regarding affordable housing issues, thanks me for my comments! That feels good. We have a discussion about affordable housing issues in Austin and exchange e-mail addresses. I feel like I really contributed to the public discourse and made some effective comments regarding an important issue. What a great end to the day.
So what did I learn from today? First, it is exhilarating to speak at a city council meeting and actually participate in city governance. Second, the Austin city council is accessible to all its residents, including people who have absolutely nothing good to say. Third, comments to the council are more entertaining in the form of a rhyming song. And finally, if you are interested in or want to speak about an issue, there is absolutely no reason to attend the entire city council meeting. Just go a little before the time you think your issue is going to be addressed!
DB OUT!
And WHY did you tune out the Rabbi talking about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? You left me hanging about why he was there and what he brought up at the city council meeting??
Citizen Communications sounds awesome. I wish you had signed up in advance and come in either your Elvis or the clown suit….next time!
I hope there is a video that will be posted of that lady singing!
If you don’t sing your *rhyming* comments like the fed tax lady, I will be very very very disappointed.
reefer seed – that is so Austin! Good luck on agenda 97! can’t wait to hear how it goes…
Be prepared for 3+ hours of testimony on 97. Hang in there. If you’re a glutton for punishment, stick around for 6:00 p.m. hearings, including the budget.
I think you should record a video of yourself trying to teach the council members how to shake and giving them treats (maybe liver if they’re lucky). I think it would probably beat the other things they put up with day-to-day except for Rabbi proclamations. I’d like a before video, preferably with them being slightly confused and rolling over on the floor when you ask them to shake and then an after one of course to show their progress. In the after one, I’d like them to be able to shake with a firm grip for a liver treat and maybe even be able to clasp your hand with their other hand for a nice warm embrace. That of course would merit two treats. Hopefully no one has suggested this yet – I think it’s pretty novel.
Yayyy!! Just saw you on livestream. I liked the “ad hoc” in there. Good job, pal!!
I saw it live in the Chamber!! David definitely rocked the Council. He did his research, formed his opinion and went up to the podium with handwritten remarks. Well done David, you did a great job!
Jodi and Council of Trent are definitely on to something for your next city council meeting gig. Let’s see if I can help flesh this out…What if you dress up as Elvis the Clown, sign up for Citizen Communications and then teach the council members how to shake to the tune of ‘Suspicious Minds’? It will be legend-wait for it-dary.
David you are truly awesome!!!! Still can’t figure out where you get the nerve to do these things!
Can’t wait to see the video and you in action!
My most favorite part about this entire blog is your dedication. I mean, you were there for 11 hours! Good job, Becker.
That was really really impressive, David! What did you use for the video? The quality was good — it didn’t seem to be an ad hoc set-up. Betsy, your mom, and your nana must be so proud!
However, the beard makes you look like a terrorist.
What did you say about the Riverside multi-use? I guess I should watch the video, huh? I hope it was in favor of re-zoning. That’s my ‘hood, and it needs some work — it is FUGLY.
(Did you see/hear the president of Austin Pets Alive! talk about how retarded it is to set a goal of spaying and neutering an additional 2,000 pets without also committing to a goal of getting an extra 2,000 pets adopted? You were probably schmoozing with Leffingwell.)
I am very impressed. The use of some of City Hall’s catchiest phrases was particularly stellar. Come on back now, ya hear?
Jodie, you are right that we are very proud!
David, you looked very professional and sounded like you knew what you were talking about. Maybe, there is a calling here?????