What the council did Nov. 5: Dog's Head revenue goes to housing and parks, a rent buy-down program is approved, and North Lamar gets taller

The Austin City Council's first meeting after the election moved quickly. Members adopted the consent agenda by 10:21 a.m. and finished the morning's other business by 10:38 a.m. Zoning cases were approved at 2 p.m., and the meeting adjourned at 2:01 p.m. Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison was absent all day, Mayor Kirk Watson said at the start, so she is recorded as absent on every vote.

The outcomes below come from the city's action notes, which the city calls tentative until minutes are approved, and from the meeting's closed-caption transcript.

The recorded no votes

Dog's Head revenue (Item 2). The council approved an ordinance that sends the city's share of tax revenue from Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 21, known as Dog's Head, to the Housing Trust Fund and the Parks Enhancement Fund, with an annual report. Council Members José Velásquez and Marc Duchen voted no, so it passed 8-2. Duchen said the item codifies an amendment he opposed in the earlier Dog's Head votes. "I'm still concerned that losing flexibility with how remaining tax revenue is allocated could prove a problem for the future and future council," he said. Our earlier story explains the zone.

Rent buy-down program (Item 24). Council Member Krista Laine's resolution directs the city manager to create a program that helps local, small and legacy businesses afford commercial space in high-traffic areas. It passed 9-1, with Duchen voting no. The adopted version two included Council Member Mike Siegel's amendment tying eligibility to the city's existing economic incentive programs. Laine thanked Siegel for it and said she hopes staff's "first test case" can grow into "a longer term offering." Council Member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri, a co-sponsor, said economic development "goes way beyond just attracting large companies." Our Oct. 28 story covers the original proposal.

Housing Blueprint (Item 26). The resolution starting a rewrite of the city's 10-year housing plan was approved as amended. One amendment passed 8-2. Our separate story has the details.

Approved without objection

• Austin Energy bonds (Item 3): up to $695 million in electric revenue bonds, in the revised version two.
• Dean Keeton transit lane (Item 22): up to $1 million for a center-running transit lane at Dean Keeton Street and I-35. Mayor Pro Tem José "Chito" Vela said CapMetro's 837 express bus runs through there. Our story has the background.
• A new park in District 4 (Item 14): up to $5,481,865 for about 1.15 acres plus easements at 9511 Metric Blvd. for the Rutland to Northgate Trail project. Vela called it "a working class area that does not have a park in close distance."
• Pease Park (Item 20): the phase plan expanding the Pease Park Conservancy's role. Our story.
• Land trust (Item 19): recertification of the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corp. land trust and its tax exemption.
• Austin ISD reading program (Item 21): an agreement for Literacy First, $100,000 a year with up to four renewals.
• Tarrytown easement (Item 27): condemnation of a wastewater easement owned by a homeowners' association, appraised at $4,086. The companion item for church land was withdrawn.
• North Lamar at Beaver Street (Items 31 and 32): a land use map change and rezoning to add density bonus 90 zoning at 8605-8613 N. Lamar Blvd. and nearby Beaver Street lots, approved on all three readings.
• Fort Branch Boulevard (Item 30): floodplain variances for two homes at 1213 Fort Branch Blvd.

Moved to Nov. 19

• The Save Our Springs amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway. The council opened the hearing only on the postponement, and no one signed up to speak. Our Oct. 28 story explains the proposal.
• The rezoning at 3601 Davis Lane, at the applicant's request. Staff recommended denial, and the Zoning and Platting Commission recommended approval as amended.
• The council also set Nov. 19 for a hearing on emergency demolitions.

What's next

The Nov. 19 agenda is already posted, with 93 items. Our preview has the biggest ones. Before then, the council is expected to meet Nov. 17 to canvass the election.