SRCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 7:00 PM
1. Welcome and Announcements
President’s Announcements—Mary Fealkoff:
* Yard Signs: Please send Mary Fealkoff photos of any sing(s) you have.
*Request: We are still in need of a Secretary. If you are available to fill this position, even for one meeting, please step forward!
* Mary announced that Pam Costa (sp?) agreed to serve as SRCC representative to the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the Central City District Plan. According to the City’s email soliciting participation, “the Central City District Plan aims to connect the Downtown, UT/UNO (West Campus), and South Central Waterfront areas through coordinated development patterns, infrastructure investments, and quality of life improvements, while honoring and preserving each area’s unique character and amenities.”
*Mary also reported on website updates stating that she, Mary J-F and Betty Weed had been reviewing and are aiming for a streamlined design similar to the Bouldin Creek website. They invited volunteers to assist with the process. Lastly, she mentioned a positive meeting with the PTA president at Travis Heights Elementary School, expressing interest in further SRCC involvement and participation in their charity events.
2. Minutes were approved from previous GM Meeting October 21, 2025, GM Meeting. Meeting minutes available at:www.srccatx.org.
3. Membership Report
Mary Janecek Friedman: Members must pay dues to participate in SRCC business and actions, such as voting and making motions. Try the subscription option for automatic annual renewals. Please register early for meetings so that Mary will have an easier time admitting all of us to the meetings. At the time of her report, there were 31 members and 13 guests in attendance.
4. Treasurer’s Report
All reports available upon request: treasurer@srccatx.org
Betty raised concerns about the restrictions on using the Austin Parks Foundation fund, prompting a discussion about potentially exploring alternative foundations.
Presenter: Treasurer, Will Andrews
5. Funding for Audio Equipment
Communications Committee requests and Finance Committee recommends expenditure of up to $1300 for purchase of audio equipment to enhance the hybrid meeting experience for those attending remotely. A motion was made and seconded to approve this purchase. The motion passed.
Presenters: Betty Weed and Will Andrews (5 min)
6. Update on Project Connect
Jennifer Pine, Lindsay Wood, Alex Medina (ATP) provided an update regarding Project Connect. The meeting focused on the design and environmental considerations for an elevated train track along E Riverside from Congress east to approximately Travis Hts. Jennifer explained that the elevated concept was introduced in January 2024 and recommended it due to multiple benefits, including reducing environmental impact, real estate costs, minimizing traffic delays and improving operations. Lindsay highlighted additional advantages like minimizing floodplain effects and improving property access. There is considerable neighborhood concern about the plan’s addition of this elevated portion. There were many questions about alternate routes, need for height and the impact of this height on views and noise levels. Would there be any amenities located under this structure? Jennifer clarified that underground sections were not being considered due to high costs and construction risks. They also stated this elevated design would be the only one submitted for environmental review.
Facilitator(s): Mark Thompson and/or Wendy Todd, Mobility Committee
7. Discussion of “Living Streets” Program
Matt Macioge (pronounced “massage”), Living Streets Manager for the City’s Transportation Public Works Dept, explained its purpose, process, and recent changes. The program aims to create safer, slower residential streets through resident-driven initiatives, with temporary installations using orange cones and barrels. Matt highlighted the program’s success, including a 62.5% reduction in vehicle collisions and a 9% reduction in speed, while also discussing plans to improve the program by transitioning to more permanent infrastructure changes like shared streets and planted islands. He also explained the simplified process for requesting a neighborhood block party through the city’s website. The conversation ended with a call for questions and a commitment to continue meeting with stakeholders as the program progresses towards its 2026 design year. Slideshow
Facilitator(s): Mark Thompson, Mobility Committee
8. Discussion regarding Navigation Center Advisory Board
Discussion continued regarding the Housing Navigation Center to be located at 2401 S IH35 and members’ frustration with the city’s lack of transparency and communication about the project and no answers to questions about the exact scope of services. Neighborhood strategies stress the inclusion of increased policing, transportation options, and the importance of having an advisory board to provide input during the RFP process for operations must be foremost. Barbara Cilley emphasized the need to generate emails to the council opposing David Gray’s plan for HSO (Housing Strategy Office) to appoint the advisory board and instead write Council to request that council make the appointments to the board.
The discussion highlighted the importance of including police and constables in the facility, defining community policing, and ensuring quick police response to neighborhood incidents, particularly concerning high school students. Mary Fealkoff and others suggested involving the hospital district, Integral Care, and UT social services in the planning, while Patricia Henry (Greenbriar East Oltorf NA—abuts the center) mentioned an offer from a hotel owner to house a dedicated APD room for better policing in the area.
Guests (Pct. 3 Constable Stacy Suits and Deputy Constable David McAngus; Jeffrey Bowen, ANC President). The Constables spoke about their experience managing homelessness outreach in South Austin. They discussed the challenges of providing services to the homeless population, including the limited number of shelter beds available and the difficulty of tracking individuals after camps are closed.
Stacy discussed the potential for establishing a north navigation center near Rundberg and Lamar, emphasizing the need to address homelessness in different geographical areas, including suburban and rural populations. Ard Ardalon inquired about the possibility of placing a navigation center closer to the Travis County Jail to assist individuals reentering society after incarceration, which Stacy addressed by explaining past efforts and challenges in funding and coordination. Drew highlighted the complexity of homelessness, noting the involvement of mental health and addiction issues, and suggested a one-stop-shop approach to provide integrated services across the county. They both emphasized the importance of collaboration among various agencies for continued outreach efforts and potential community policing around the new facility.
(brief bios of each guest are found at end of these notes).
Facilitator: President Mary Fealkoff
9. Introduction of City Council Candidate District 9, Rich Heyman
Guest Rich Heyman
10. Reports from Standing Committee Chairs
a) Planning and Zoning; b) Historic Preservation—Demo at 514 Monroe is only partial but there is still no architectural rendering; c) Finance—budget will need to be approved for 2026 at the EC meeting and at the GM in December; d) Mobility; e) Public Safety; f) Parks and Environment; g) Schools; h) Communications
11. 7:55 Reports from Area Coordinators and Group Representatives
a) Area Coordinators; b) TECHS CAT; c) ANC; d) SCC; e) EROC—is working on SANSA (South Austin Safety Alliance) items including the makeup of the hub advisory board and relayed that the Zoning Request Change for the Time Insurance property is gearing up; f) GSRC NPCT; g) SCWAB; h) St. Edward’s
Guest Bios:
Stacy Suits: Stacy Suits has served as Constable or Chief Deputy Constable of Travis Co. for almost thirty years. As Pct. 5 Constable he was instrumental in the Travis County Commissioners Court’s creation of a Family Unit and the state’s first Mental Health Unit. He is currently Travis County Constable, Pct. 3, and is familiar with neighborhood issues associated with the Sunrise Navigation Center located on Ben White.
David McAngus: Constable McAngus serves as Stacy Suits’ Deputy, having previously served as Constable for Pct. 3 and in Travis Co. law enforcement since 1978. In 1983, then-lieutenant
McAngus established the state’s first Mental Health Unit, forging critical collaboration between law enforcement and behavior health professionals.
Remaining 2025 Meetings:
GM (3rd Tuesday) Dec. 16
EC (1st Tuesday) Dec. 2
Q-1 2026 Meetings:
GM Jan. 20; Feb. 17; Mar. 17
EC Jan. 6; Feb. 3; Mar. 3
Minutes prepared by Gayle Goff.
