1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,001 [Music]. 2 00:00:01,001 --> 00:00:03,604 >> With a new form of government taking shape at City Hall, 3 00:00:03,604 --> 00:00:07,774 and every seat up for grabs, Austin voters elected two new 4 00:00:07,774 --> 00:00:11,945 City Council Members on November 4th and sent 16 Council 5 00:00:11,945 --> 00:00:15,449 candidates plus two vying for Austin mayor to run-off 6 00:00:15,449 --> 00:00:16,450 elections. 7 00:00:16,450 --> 00:00:20,554 Tonight, Beyond the Rhetoric, we sit down with the newly-elected 8 00:00:20,554 --> 00:00:24,157 Council Members to hear how they will lead their districts and 9 00:00:24,157 --> 00:00:25,158 our city. 10 00:00:25,158 --> 00:00:30,931 [Music]. 11 00:00:43,777 --> 00:00:45,712 >> Support for Civic Summit comes from Google, 12 00:00:45,712 --> 00:00:48,148 a global technology leader focused on improving the ways 13 00:00:48,148 --> 00:00:51,552 people connect with information and also by Texas Mutual 14 00:00:51,552 --> 00:00:54,888 Insurance, providing workers' compensation for Texas 15 00:00:54,888 --> 00:00:56,657 employers. 16 00:00:56,657 --> 00:00:57,624 [Music]. 17 00:01:04,598 --> 00:01:05,766 >> Hello. 18 00:01:05,766 --> 00:01:07,734 And thanks for joining us for Civic Summit, 19 00:01:07,734 --> 00:01:10,137 Council Member-elect conversation. 20 00:01:10,137 --> 00:01:14,675 A joint production of KLRU, Leadership Austin, KUT, 21 00:01:14,675 --> 00:01:17,711 and the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life. 22 00:01:17,711 --> 00:01:22,849 I'm Jennifer Stayton with KUT 90.5, Austin's NPR station. 23 00:01:22,849 --> 00:01:25,886 Our discussion, tonight, is going to focus on leadership. 24 00:01:25,886 --> 00:01:28,455 We want to know what skills and qualities our three 25 00:01:28,455 --> 00:01:31,358 newly-elected Council Members will bring with them to City 26 00:01:31,358 --> 00:01:32,359 Hall. 27 00:01:32,359 --> 00:01:34,361 And we invite all of you to Tweet along with us. 28 00:01:34,361 --> 00:01:35,796 Please use the #civicsummit. 29 00:01:35,796 --> 00:01:39,766 My guests this half hour, won their districts outright, 30 00:01:39,766 --> 00:01:41,702 avoiding a run off. 31 00:01:41,702 --> 00:01:46,640 Delia Garza of District 2, Ann Kitchen of District 5, 32 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,977 which is in South Austin, and Kathie Toe -- co -- Tovo of 33 00:01:49,977 --> 00:01:52,946 District 9, which is downtown and central Austin. 34 00:01:52,946 --> 00:01:56,717 Kathie Tovo is an incumbent City Council Member who was facing a 35 00:01:56,717 --> 00:01:59,086 run off with current councilman, Chris Riley. 36 00:01:59,086 --> 00:02:01,855 Councilman Riley has since conceded that race, 37 00:02:01,855 --> 00:02:03,624 leaving Kathie Tovo the winner. 38 00:02:03,624 --> 00:02:06,693 Thanks to all of you for being here this evening. 39 00:02:06,693 --> 00:02:08,695 Now, the first question we're going to start with, 40 00:02:08,695 --> 00:02:10,697 which you all received ahead of time, 41 00:02:10,697 --> 00:02:13,834 I want to hear what you've learned about yourself over the 42 00:02:13,834 --> 00:02:17,304 past months of campaigning that will help you govern. 43 00:02:17,304 --> 00:02:19,306 And Delia, we'll start with you. 44 00:02:19,306 --> 00:02:20,273 >> Okay. 45 00:02:20,273 --> 00:02:22,275 I thought long and hard about this question. 46 00:02:22,275 --> 00:02:24,911 One of the most challenging jobs I've ever had was as an Austin 47 00:02:24,911 --> 00:02:27,147 firefighter, and I feel like I learned the most about myself 48 00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:29,616 there. 49 00:02:29,616 --> 00:02:33,487 I did learn that I can survive on very little sleep, 50 00:02:33,487 --> 00:02:34,121 [Laughter]. 51 00:02:34,121 --> 00:02:36,523 horrible diet, and little exercise. 52 00:02:36,523 --> 00:02:39,026 And -- but what I learned, in general, 53 00:02:39,026 --> 00:02:42,195 was that this job is more -- is mostly about listening to 54 00:02:42,195 --> 00:02:43,730 people. 55 00:02:43,730 --> 00:02:46,666 You go in here thinking that you have your message straight and 56 00:02:46,666 --> 00:02:48,935 you're going to have these stump speeches and it's -- you walk 57 00:02:48,935 --> 00:02:51,671 into a meeting and you sit down and you shut your mouth and you 58 00:02:51,671 --> 00:02:52,506 listen. 59 00:02:52,506 --> 00:02:55,742 And so I think that will help me on the Council and that -- 60 00:02:55,742 --> 00:02:57,177 that's what this is about. 61 00:02:57,177 --> 00:02:59,513 It's about listening to your constituents and Austinites and 62 00:02:59,513 --> 00:03:02,783 then coming up with ideas to help solve their problems. 63 00:03:02,783 --> 00:03:04,418 >> Ann. 64 00:03:04,418 --> 00:03:07,454 >> Well, thank you -- thank you so much for having us. 65 00:03:07,454 --> 00:03:09,022 I mean, this is so exciting. 66 00:03:09,022 --> 00:03:12,592 I -- when I decided to run -- you know, 67 00:03:12,592 --> 00:03:15,529 I've been in office before and I decided to run because I really 68 00:03:15,529 --> 00:03:17,364 wanted to make a difference. 69 00:03:17,364 --> 00:03:20,434 And so what I learned from talking to people all over the 70 00:03:20,434 --> 00:03:25,605 district is the depth of passion and hope that people have for 71 00:03:25,605 --> 00:03:30,177 this 10-1 system, and that's very exciting because we're not 72 00:03:30,177 --> 00:03:32,179 going to make changes on our own. 73 00:03:32,179 --> 00:03:34,715 We're going to make changes with -- with the people in our 74 00:03:34,715 --> 00:03:38,385 district, together, with all the people across the city. 75 00:03:38,385 --> 00:03:41,121 And so one of the things that was so heartening to me about 76 00:03:41,121 --> 00:03:45,959 the whole campaign process was how engaged people were, how, 77 00:03:45,959 --> 00:03:47,961 you know, how passionate they are, 78 00:03:47,961 --> 00:03:51,298 and how much they want to see change and be part of that. 79 00:03:51,298 --> 00:03:53,300 >> Kathie. 80 00:03:53,300 --> 00:03:56,670 >> Well, I -- I would agree with some of the comments that my new 81 00:03:56,670 --> 00:03:58,739 colleagues made as well. 82 00:03:58,739 --> 00:04:01,675 When I ran in 2011, I had a -- a pretty short race, 83 00:04:01,675 --> 00:04:03,743 all things considering; and this was a much larger, 84 00:04:03,743 --> 00:04:04,745 much longer one. 85 00:04:04,745 --> 00:04:08,715 It was, really, a nine-month race and it was coupled with 86 00:04:08,715 --> 00:04:12,319 serving on Council and it was a lot to balance; 87 00:04:12,319 --> 00:04:14,754 and -- and I was reminded, during the campaign, 88 00:04:14,754 --> 00:04:20,393 of just how important it is to reach out and ask for help, 89 00:04:20,393 --> 00:04:22,629 whether it was asking my family for more help, 90 00:04:22,629 --> 00:04:25,966 from asking my 7 and 8 year old to, you know, 91 00:04:25,966 --> 00:04:29,436 pick up some of the family tasks that needed to get done, 92 00:04:29,436 --> 00:04:32,739 to really reaching out to members of the community and 93 00:04:32,739 --> 00:04:33,874 asking them to volunteer. 94 00:04:33,874 --> 00:04:37,144 It's -- it is something I -- I do, of course, 95 00:04:37,144 --> 00:04:39,146 all the time as a Council Member, 96 00:04:39,146 --> 00:04:41,148 reach out to members of the community and ask them for input 97 00:04:41,148 --> 00:04:43,850 about policies we're considering and working with my colleagues 98 00:04:43,850 --> 00:04:45,018 to shape policies. 99 00:04:45,018 --> 00:04:49,055 But a campaign demands tremendous, 100 00:04:49,055 --> 00:04:52,559 tremendous energy from so many people across the community and 101 00:04:52,559 --> 00:04:55,395 it was really important to be reminded of just how important 102 00:04:55,395 --> 00:04:57,764 it is to have a broad base of support and to have people who 103 00:04:57,764 --> 00:05:01,868 are passionate and as committed to working on city issues as I 104 00:05:01,868 --> 00:05:05,639 am because it takes every single one of them to look -- to run a 105 00:05:05,639 --> 00:05:08,675 successful campaign, and really, to shape the policies of our 106 00:05:08,675 --> 00:05:09,776 city. 107 00:05:09,776 --> 00:05:12,012 >> So Delia, one thing that you said in your answer, 108 00:05:12,012 --> 00:05:15,482 we've heard from several folks who have been on campaigns the 109 00:05:15,482 --> 00:05:18,819 past few months, which is that lack of sleep, being very tired. 110 00:05:18,819 --> 00:05:20,821 That it -- it's a big commitment to campaign. 111 00:05:20,821 --> 00:05:22,823 It takes a lot of time and energy. 112 00:05:22,823 --> 00:05:24,824 I know when you get to governing, 113 00:05:24,824 --> 00:05:26,826 it's not quite -- quite as intense, 114 00:05:26,826 --> 00:05:28,828 but it's still very time consuming. 115 00:05:28,828 --> 00:05:29,829 Takes a lot of energy. 116 00:05:29,829 --> 00:05:31,965 So given that and what you know about what it's like to campaign 117 00:05:31,965 --> 00:05:34,868 and to serve, I want to hear from each of you why you want to 118 00:05:34,868 --> 00:05:36,203 do this? 119 00:05:36,203 --> 00:05:41,308 And Ann, let's start with you for this one. 120 00:05:41,308 --> 00:05:42,909 >> Well, I'm excited about it because I think it's a huge 121 00:05:42,909 --> 00:05:44,978 opportunity for the whole city. 122 00:05:44,978 --> 00:05:50,483 You know, I -- my whole life has been about making -- making 123 00:05:50,483 --> 00:05:53,320 things better for people and helping people improve their 124 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,489 lives, and I think we just have a great opportunity with the 125 00:05:56,489 --> 00:05:58,658 10-1 system to do that. 126 00:05:58,658 --> 00:06:04,965 You know, and so -- and -- so that's -- that fuels my energy. 127 00:06:04,965 --> 00:06:06,266 You know? 128 00:06:06,266 --> 00:06:08,001 And -- and like my colleagues have said, 129 00:06:08,001 --> 00:06:10,003 one of the things you do have to learn is how to take care of 130 00:06:10,003 --> 00:06:12,739 yourself because if you don't take care of yourself, 131 00:06:12,739 --> 00:06:14,741 you can't do the job for people. 132 00:06:14,741 --> 00:06:17,877 So that's another aspect of it. 133 00:06:17,877 --> 00:06:19,045 >> Kathie. 134 00:06:19,045 --> 00:06:22,782 >> Well, I've loved nearly every minute of serving on Council. 135 00:06:22,782 --> 00:06:26,152 It's just been an amazing privilege and an honor and I -- 136 00:06:26,152 --> 00:06:28,888 I love this community and feel that, you know, 137 00:06:28,888 --> 00:06:31,258 we're facing a lot of great opportunities but also some real 138 00:06:31,258 --> 00:06:33,260 challenges, and when I ran in 2011, 139 00:06:33,260 --> 00:06:36,730 I was very committed to working on issues of affordability, 140 00:06:36,730 --> 00:06:40,033 affordable housing, education, and those are still really 141 00:06:40,033 --> 00:06:43,737 pressing challenges, and I felt really compelled to step up and 142 00:06:43,737 --> 00:06:46,673 run for reelection because we still have a great deal of work 143 00:06:46,673 --> 00:06:48,775 to do in all of those areas; and I think, 144 00:06:48,775 --> 00:06:51,177 with a new transition and with a new Council, 145 00:06:51,177 --> 00:06:55,715 we'll have lots of -- lots of ability to collaborate and 146 00:06:55,715 --> 00:06:59,486 really get more areas of the community involved in some of 147 00:06:59,486 --> 00:07:02,689 those pressing questions. 148 00:07:02,689 --> 00:07:03,957 >> Delia. 149 00:07:03,957 --> 00:07:07,193 >> I was on the Charter Vision Committee with Ann and became 150 00:07:07,193 --> 00:07:10,964 very passionate about 10-1 after my service on that committee, 151 00:07:10,964 --> 00:07:16,236 and just talking to people in my neighborhood and the -- the 152 00:07:16,236 --> 00:07:19,773 often expressed they didn't feel like they had a voice when I was 153 00:07:19,773 --> 00:07:21,841 cam -- when I worked for 10-1 trying to get that -- the 154 00:07:21,841 --> 00:07:23,777 Proposition 3 passed. 155 00:07:23,777 --> 00:07:25,845 The one thing I would say that would resonate -- because you 156 00:07:25,845 --> 00:07:27,647 have like two seconds at someone's door. 157 00:07:27,647 --> 00:07:29,482 I mean, they won't -- they're reluctant to open the door to 158 00:07:29,482 --> 00:07:31,017 begin with, and then when they do, 159 00:07:31,017 --> 00:07:32,552 you want to get that one statement in there -- and I 160 00:07:32,552 --> 00:07:34,921 would say, not a single City Council Member lives south of 161 00:07:34,921 --> 00:07:37,924 the river and that would -- and jaws would drop, 162 00:07:37,924 --> 00:07:42,095 and so when -- thankfully, when 10-1 passed, 163 00:07:42,095 --> 00:07:44,064 I thought this was a wonderful opportunity. 164 00:07:44,064 --> 00:07:47,567 I've been to -- I've been in public service my whole life and 165 00:07:47,567 --> 00:07:50,603 I love being an advocate and I thought south -- Southeast 166 00:07:50,603 --> 00:07:53,340 Austin needs a strong voice and this is a wonderful opportunity, 167 00:07:53,340 --> 00:07:56,042 not only to get South Austin a voice, 168 00:07:56,042 --> 00:07:58,611 but to get more minorities on the City Council, 169 00:07:58,611 --> 00:08:02,482 where Hispanics are 36% of the city and the old system, 170 00:08:02,482 --> 00:08:05,785 I really -- there were so many barriers to -- if you weren't 171 00:08:05,785 --> 00:08:09,422 independently wealthy or had the right connections in the 172 00:08:09,422 --> 00:08:11,257 at-large system, there were so many barriers. 173 00:08:11,257 --> 00:08:13,626 And so once 10-1 passed, I thought, 174 00:08:13,626 --> 00:08:17,130 this is -- this is a system that I can, hopefully, succeed in, 175 00:08:17,130 --> 00:08:20,467 and I -- I do -- I absolutely believe I couldn't have done it 176 00:08:20,467 --> 00:08:21,634 in an at-large system. 177 00:08:21,634 --> 00:08:23,002 Some people say, oh, you could have done it. 178 00:08:23,002 --> 00:08:26,806 But that's why I wanted to be a voice and I wanted to make sure 179 00:08:26,806 --> 00:08:29,743 we had more diversity on the City Council. 180 00:08:29,743 --> 00:08:32,846 >> So on the stage tonight, we have a -- about a third of the 181 00:08:32,846 --> 00:08:35,782 new City Council, which means, at least a third of the Council 182 00:08:35,782 --> 00:08:37,350 is going to be women. 183 00:08:37,350 --> 00:08:38,585 It could wind up being more. 184 00:08:38,585 --> 00:08:40,220 We won't know that until December 16th, 185 00:08:40,220 --> 00:08:42,055 possibly into the morning of the 17th. 186 00:08:42,055 --> 00:08:44,924 And I'm just interested to hear from the three of you all, 187 00:08:44,924 --> 00:08:49,996 how do you think that makeup of the Council might impact your 188 00:08:49,996 --> 00:08:51,698 approach to governing, your working with your colleagues 189 00:08:51,698 --> 00:08:54,033 knowing that, you know, there are going to be at least three 190 00:08:54,033 --> 00:08:57,404 women, if not more, and you know you're going to have a mayor 191 00:08:57,404 --> 00:08:58,605 who's a man. 192 00:08:58,605 --> 00:09:01,174 So I'm just interested to hear kind of what your thoughts about 193 00:09:01,174 --> 00:09:03,943 those dynamics; and Kathie, if you want to start that. 194 00:09:03,943 --> 00:09:06,279 >> Well, it will be an interesting -- it will be an 195 00:09:06,279 --> 00:09:08,815 interesting thing to see in the history of the Austin City 196 00:09:08,815 --> 00:09:09,682 Council. 197 00:09:09,682 --> 00:09:12,385 There have only been 16 women to serve on the 16th. 198 00:09:12,385 --> 00:09:15,522 And so, you know, in one election, we will have four, 199 00:09:15,522 --> 00:09:17,023 at least. 200 00:09:17,023 --> 00:09:21,561 Four female Council Members, and so I think it's a real testament 201 00:09:21,561 --> 00:09:24,431 to the changes that are before us and I don't think we know, 202 00:09:24,431 --> 00:09:27,333 yet, how it might shape the dynamics of the policies, 203 00:09:27,333 --> 00:09:29,669 but it is -- it is really important. 204 00:09:29,669 --> 00:09:34,040 When I go -- I try to go talk to as many classes as invite me. 205 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,910 And one of -- I remember talking to a young -- a group of young 206 00:09:36,910 --> 00:09:41,481 -- middle school young women and they were amazed when they heard 207 00:09:41,481 --> 00:09:43,917 that there were only 16 women who had ever served on the 208 00:09:43,917 --> 00:09:47,053 Council and only one woman had ever served as mayor, 209 00:09:47,053 --> 00:09:48,521 their -- their jaws dropped. 210 00:09:48,521 --> 00:09:51,057 They -- it was so inconceivable to them growing up in the 211 00:09:51,057 --> 00:09:53,593 society that -- that there wouldn't have been more women 212 00:09:53,593 --> 00:09:54,594 leaders. 213 00:09:54,594 --> 00:09:58,765 And so it's -- I think it is a very important that Austin have 214 00:09:58,765 --> 00:10:03,203 a Council that reflects -- is more reflective of our society. 215 00:10:03,203 --> 00:10:05,138 >> Delia. 216 00:10:05,138 --> 00:10:08,108 >> I think it's a wonderful thing to have more women that's 217 00:10:08,108 --> 00:10:10,109 -- you know, there's so many glass ceilings that need to be 218 00:10:10,109 --> 00:10:11,244 broken and this is one of them. 219 00:10:11,244 --> 00:10:16,182 We should be 50% of everything, but I -- I -- I had all male 220 00:10:16,182 --> 00:10:18,184 opponents and Ann had all male opponents. 221 00:10:18,184 --> 00:10:22,155 I don't -- I don't know how much that affected too much, 222 00:10:22,155 --> 00:10:24,657 but there -- I think -- I don't want to do any man bashing, 223 00:10:24,657 --> 00:10:25,658 here, [Laughter]. 224 00:10:25,658 --> 00:10:29,629 but I think women are -- are more willing to collaborate and 225 00:10:29,629 --> 00:10:33,299 compromise, and I think it's a wonderful thing that -- for 226 00:10:33,299 --> 00:10:35,602 young girls to see women up there, women leaders. 227 00:10:35,602 --> 00:10:38,771 There's never been a Hispanic city -- female Hispanic City 228 00:10:38,771 --> 00:10:43,710 Council Member, and so, I mean, I'm very humbled by having that. 229 00:10:43,710 --> 00:10:45,712 There were so many people that came before me that blazed this 230 00:10:45,712 --> 00:10:49,415 trail and so I'm excited about the little Latinos growing up 231 00:10:49,415 --> 00:10:53,720 and seeing somebody that looks like them on the City Council. 232 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:54,921 >> Ann. 233 00:10:54,921 --> 00:10:57,624 >> Well -- well, you know, I've -- I've been fighting for women 234 00:10:57,624 --> 00:10:59,592 in elected office for a long time. 235 00:10:59,592 --> 00:11:01,628 First, with the women's political caucus, and then, 236 00:11:01,628 --> 00:11:03,396 I was co-founder of Annie's List, 237 00:11:03,396 --> 00:11:06,432 and I -- I believe -- and also from my experience at the 238 00:11:06,432 --> 00:11:09,402 capitol, I really think that women approach things 239 00:11:09,402 --> 00:11:13,239 differently; and of course, that's a generalization and it's 240 00:11:13,239 --> 00:11:15,608 not true of all men, but in general, 241 00:11:15,608 --> 00:11:19,779 I would say that the women are more collaborative, 242 00:11:19,779 --> 00:11:26,185 women are focused on solutions, women tend to be less -- less -- 243 00:11:26,185 --> 00:11:29,255 less focused on status, and so I think -- and that the new 244 00:11:29,255 --> 00:11:31,991 Council, it's got to be collaborative. 245 00:11:31,991 --> 00:11:35,061 This is going to be very challenging with all of us, 246 00:11:35,061 --> 00:11:37,597 you know, almost all of us being new, not all of us, 247 00:11:37,597 --> 00:11:40,934 but almost all of us being new, it's going to be very important 248 00:11:40,934 --> 00:11:44,204 that we take a collaborative approach to bring the whole city 249 00:11:44,204 --> 00:11:45,538 together. 250 00:11:45,538 --> 00:11:48,408 >> So this will be new Council, new arrangement, 251 00:11:48,408 --> 00:11:51,411 the 10-1 system, and what that means is that some of you will 252 00:11:51,411 --> 00:11:54,714 draw two-year Council terms, and I think, 253 00:11:54,714 --> 00:11:56,916 most people would say that that two-year term might be a 254 00:11:56,916 --> 00:11:59,219 disadvantage just because it's such a short period of time, 255 00:11:59,219 --> 00:12:04,490 but I'm wondering if you can think of any positives to having 256 00:12:04,490 --> 00:12:10,396 just the two-year term and -- I think we're at Delia who's 257 00:12:10,396 --> 00:12:11,397 first? 258 00:12:11,397 --> 00:12:12,398 >> Yeah. 259 00:12:12,398 --> 00:12:13,399 That's right. 260 00:12:13,399 --> 00:12:16,002 I think a positive, if you're on the two-year term, 261 00:12:16,002 --> 00:12:18,504 is you're really going to start to work really hard [Laughter]. 262 00:12:18,504 --> 00:12:21,074 fast, frankly. 263 00:12:21,074 --> 00:12:25,144 Not that I wasn't going to do that anyway. 264 00:12:25,144 --> 00:12:28,748 But -- especially as -- as a new -- I'm not an incumbent. 265 00:12:28,748 --> 00:12:34,921 I need to get out there and -- I -- I can't think of another positive honestly. 266 00:12:34,921 --> 00:12:36,589 [Laughter]. 267 00:12:36,589 --> 00:12:38,224 >> Ann. 268 00:12:38,224 --> 00:12:42,095 >> Well, you know, I -- I -- I think, you know, 269 00:12:42,095 --> 00:12:45,098 a positive is that they'll have -- it'll have that kind of 270 00:12:45,098 --> 00:12:49,235 conversation that you have in an election sooner with the public. 271 00:12:49,235 --> 00:12:52,605 Now, all of us are -- are -- are going to create those 272 00:12:52,605 --> 00:12:54,507 conversations with our districts. 273 00:12:54,507 --> 00:12:56,909 That's one of the beauties of the 10-1, 274 00:12:56,909 --> 00:13:00,046 but when you do an election, it's really holding you more 275 00:13:00,046 --> 00:13:03,483 accountable; and so from the public's perspective, 276 00:13:03,483 --> 00:13:07,553 I think that that can be an advantage. 277 00:13:07,553 --> 00:13:08,988 >> Kathie. 278 00:13:08,988 --> 00:13:10,490 >> Well, I think that's an interesting point, 279 00:13:10,490 --> 00:13:12,125 from the public's perspective. 280 00:13:12,125 --> 00:13:14,494 You know, two years is a very short period of time, 281 00:13:14,494 --> 00:13:17,430 especially when you look at how -- how soon a campaign really 282 00:13:17,430 --> 00:13:19,799 needs to begin to be successful. 283 00:13:19,799 --> 00:13:22,268 That would really mean the coun -- the Council Members who have 284 00:13:22,268 --> 00:13:25,004 two-year terms or draw two-year terms are beginning to think 285 00:13:25,004 --> 00:13:28,474 about running for reelection in about a year, and so, you know, 286 00:13:28,474 --> 00:13:30,076 that's -- that's challenging. 287 00:13:30,076 --> 00:13:33,246 I guess one positive is that if they save their yard signs, they will have -- 288 00:13:33,246 --> 00:13:35,081 [Laughter]. 289 00:13:35,081 --> 00:13:37,383 -- you'll spend less money in their reelection campaign. 290 00:13:37,383 --> 00:13:43,823 >> So I'm imagining that you all met a lot of people when you 291 00:13:43,823 --> 00:13:45,892 were campaigning for your seats, and then, 292 00:13:45,892 --> 00:13:48,461 I'd like each of you to -- to share a story about maybe a 293 00:13:48,461 --> 00:13:51,230 person that you met on the campaign who really made an 294 00:13:51,230 --> 00:13:53,766 impression on you or really had a story that was compelling to 295 00:13:53,766 --> 00:13:56,669 you or really struck you in some way. 296 00:13:56,669 --> 00:13:58,371 Ann, if you want to start with that one. 297 00:13:58,371 --> 00:14:01,007 >> Well, I have, you know, lots of stories, 298 00:14:01,007 --> 00:14:04,844 but -- but one of them that really sticks with me is, 299 00:14:04,844 --> 00:14:06,345 is a woman that I talked to, actually, 300 00:14:06,345 --> 00:14:08,448 at the polls on election day. 301 00:14:08,448 --> 00:14:11,984 And she had ridden her bike over there and was cold and wet, 302 00:14:11,984 --> 00:14:13,886 you know? 303 00:14:13,886 --> 00:14:15,922 But the story she had to tell me was about what had happened with 304 00:14:15,922 --> 00:14:17,623 her. 305 00:14:17,623 --> 00:14:20,660 She had been working in, really, a job that was not great, 306 00:14:20,660 --> 00:14:23,629 you know, in terms of its wages and then she got laid off. 307 00:14:23,629 --> 00:14:26,833 And so she was having to deal with all these kinds of issues. 308 00:14:26,833 --> 00:14:30,002 She lost her car so she was riding her bike. 309 00:14:30,002 --> 00:14:32,672 She had to worry about where she was going to get food from, 310 00:14:32,672 --> 00:14:36,109 from day one to day -- you know, from one day to the next. 311 00:14:36,109 --> 00:14:40,079 And it just -- it really, really struck me because it's -- it's, 312 00:14:40,079 --> 00:14:46,152 you know, it's something I'm very well aware of and -- and 313 00:14:46,152 --> 00:14:47,320 affordability is very important to me, 314 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:49,622 my -- my background in social service, 315 00:14:49,622 --> 00:14:52,658 but talking with her really put a fine point on it. 316 00:14:53,593 --> 00:14:57,563 You know, we have -- you know, we have got to do everything we 317 00:14:57,563 --> 00:15:02,635 can to make sure that everybody in our city has a fair chance to 318 00:15:02,635 --> 00:15:04,170 -- to live. 319 00:15:04,170 --> 00:15:09,842 So I really appreciated her sharing her story with me. 320 00:15:09,842 --> 00:15:11,477 >> And Kathie. 321 00:15:11,477 --> 00:15:14,480 >> Well, the story that jumped into my mind when I was knocking 322 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:16,716 on doors in one of the central city neighborhoods, 323 00:15:16,716 --> 00:15:21,721 I heard lots of concerns along -- along these lines, 324 00:15:21,721 --> 00:15:25,191 but I talked to one woman who had a teenage daughter. 325 00:15:25,191 --> 00:15:27,860 She was a single mother -- is a single mother and she said she 326 00:15:27,860 --> 00:15:31,764 had bought her house probably 15 years ago. 327 00:15:31,764 --> 00:15:34,066 She is a professional and she said, you know, 328 00:15:34,066 --> 00:15:36,736 I look at my finances and I look at our increases in property 329 00:15:36,736 --> 00:15:40,573 taxes from month to month and I know I can't stay here more than 330 00:15:40,573 --> 00:15:43,709 another year or two and there aren't any other options within 331 00:15:43,709 --> 00:15:48,381 the central city where I can -- where I can live and be able to 332 00:15:48,381 --> 00:15:51,450 afford my taxes, and it was a -- it was the kind of concern I 333 00:15:51,450 --> 00:15:55,755 heard, really, at everyone's door about the escalating costs, 334 00:15:55,755 --> 00:15:57,790 whether I was talking to renters who were talking about the -- 335 00:15:57,790 --> 00:16:01,761 the ways their rents had increased so dramatically over 336 00:16:01,761 --> 00:16:04,096 the last few years or property owners who are struggling with 337 00:16:04,096 --> 00:16:09,235 their taxes; but that woman was so clear about how it was -- how 338 00:16:09,235 --> 00:16:13,072 it was going to impact the next year or two of her -- of her 339 00:16:13,072 --> 00:16:18,010 family and their ability to stay in Austin. 340 00:16:18,010 --> 00:16:19,078 >> Delia. 341 00:16:19,078 --> 00:16:21,247 >> I -- I had similar experiences with the similar 342 00:16:21,247 --> 00:16:24,250 stories of affordability, basically, 343 00:16:24,250 --> 00:16:27,887 and District 2 has retired teachers, retired firefighters, 344 00:16:27,887 --> 00:16:30,556 and they live in these fringes of the city because the other 345 00:16:30,556 --> 00:16:32,258 parts of the city have become too expensive. 346 00:16:32,258 --> 00:16:35,661 So those are the stories and -- and it's not something that I 347 00:16:35,661 --> 00:16:38,764 didn't know, but hearing it from people and putting a face to it 348 00:16:38,764 --> 00:16:40,166 and seeing that. 349 00:16:40,166 --> 00:16:41,701 I mean, when I bought my home ten years ago, 350 00:16:41,701 --> 00:16:44,003 I had to decide -- it's when I was a firefighter, 351 00:16:44,003 --> 00:16:47,073 decide whether to get a second job or to get a roommate and so 352 00:16:47,073 --> 00:16:49,809 -- and that's just me as a single person. 353 00:16:49,809 --> 00:16:52,345 So I can see the -- the issues that working families are 354 00:16:52,345 --> 00:16:55,114 facing; and these are people who have committed their careers to 355 00:16:55,114 --> 00:16:58,451 investing in this community and they can no longer afford -- two 356 00:16:58,451 --> 00:17:02,822 retired teachers living -- a couple that was their concern is 357 00:17:02,822 --> 00:17:05,258 that -- I -- you know, I was a teacher for 20 years. 358 00:17:05,258 --> 00:17:06,959 My partner was a teacher for 20 years, 359 00:17:06,959 --> 00:17:09,662 and now we're in this situation where we might not be able to 360 00:17:09,662 --> 00:17:12,365 live in Austin, Texas, anymore, this -- this beautiful community 361 00:17:12,365 --> 00:17:14,100 that we -- we chose to be our home. 362 00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:17,970 And so that was a -- and it's good to hear that it's across 363 00:17:17,970 --> 00:17:20,606 the city, the same -- the same theme, basically, 364 00:17:20,606 --> 00:17:22,708 of working families wanting to stay in Austin, 365 00:17:22,708 --> 00:17:25,311 but not being able to. 366 00:17:25,311 --> 00:17:27,079 >> So we -- we've been learning about you all, 367 00:17:27,079 --> 00:17:29,282 tonight and during the campaign, and learning about some of these 368 00:17:29,282 --> 00:17:31,217 issues that -- that are across all the districts, 369 00:17:31,217 --> 00:17:34,554 and I want to hear a little bit about your districts, now. 370 00:17:34,554 --> 00:17:37,123 If -- if you were going to create a walking tour on a 371 00:17:37,123 --> 00:17:39,892 district and sort of take -- take us on a tour, name, 372 00:17:39,892 --> 00:17:42,895 you know, a couple of places that would be kind of must-see 373 00:17:42,895 --> 00:17:45,364 stops on that walking tour of your districts. 374 00:17:45,364 --> 00:17:48,301 Kathie, if you want to take that one, first. 375 00:17:48,301 --> 00:17:51,304 >> Gosh, well, District 9 is -- is really an interesting one 376 00:17:51,304 --> 00:17:54,640 because it is in the central city and there are some spots 377 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:58,010 that are just very -- are very different from one another. 378 00:17:58,010 --> 00:18:01,714 You have Austin's Master Plan Community of Miller, 379 00:18:01,714 --> 00:18:03,950 and so that would certainly be on my -- on my tour. 380 00:18:03,950 --> 00:18:07,119 You have downtown, which is one of our most dense areas and the 381 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:11,090 economic center of the city. 382 00:18:11,090 --> 00:18:14,927 The university area, and then we have -- and then -- the central 383 00:18:14,927 --> 00:18:18,331 city -- the District 9 is really bracketed by older, 384 00:18:18,331 --> 00:18:21,100 more traditional neighborhoods south and north, 385 00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:25,237 and so if we were limited in -- in our ability to go on our 386 00:18:25,237 --> 00:18:29,208 tour, I would probably pick one -- one older neighborhood north, 387 00:18:29,208 --> 00:18:31,177 maybe Hyde Park and then one older neighborhood south, 388 00:18:31,177 --> 00:18:35,114 Bouldin Creek, so that you could see the downtown, 389 00:18:35,114 --> 00:18:37,416 our Master Plan Community of Miller, 390 00:18:37,416 --> 00:18:41,387 west campus and then an older neighborhood on either side of 391 00:18:41,387 --> 00:18:42,388 the district. 392 00:18:42,388 --> 00:18:44,390 But it is -- you get a sense of how diverse it is. 393 00:18:44,390 --> 00:18:48,160 We have lots of students, seniors, families with children, 394 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:50,162 older professionals without children, 395 00:18:50,162 --> 00:18:52,865 so it's a very -- it's a very broad mix of households and 396 00:18:52,865 --> 00:18:55,668 housing types. 397 00:18:55,668 --> 00:18:56,335 >> Delia. 398 00:18:56,335 --> 00:18:59,405 >> Well, I -- a tour would start at my house. 399 00:18:59,405 --> 00:19:00,640 [Laughter]. 400 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:04,543 And we'd go west, down Stassney and then you would -- I think 401 00:19:04,543 --> 00:19:07,980 I'd go down Emerald Forest and pass by Odom Elementary, 402 00:19:07,980 --> 00:19:10,249 and then across William Cannon. 403 00:19:10,249 --> 00:19:13,586 Dittmar Rec Center is in the -- a gorgeous rec center is in the 404 00:19:13,586 --> 00:19:15,454 district. 405 00:19:15,454 --> 00:19:17,923 You'd go south on Palace Parkway and then Slaughter -- everything 406 00:19:17,923 --> 00:19:20,826 north of Slaughter, and then you go to the southeast side and the 407 00:19:20,826 --> 00:19:27,733 -- the most known neighborhood there is Dove Springs area. 408 00:19:27,733 --> 00:19:31,404 The Dove -- Dove Springs Rec Center is a gorgeous rec center 409 00:19:31,404 --> 00:19:32,538 and I'm -- I'm very privileged to serve on the Advisory Board 410 00:19:32,538 --> 00:19:33,305 there. 411 00:19:33,305 --> 00:19:34,507 They have such wonderful programs. 412 00:19:34,507 --> 00:19:37,510 I've seen how these free programs help the families in 413 00:19:37,510 --> 00:19:40,179 that area participate in things that they probably couldn't 414 00:19:40,179 --> 00:19:42,148 participate if they had to pay for such programs. 415 00:19:42,148 --> 00:19:46,619 And then there's the industrial area in Burleson, 416 00:19:46,619 --> 00:19:48,154 south of -- south of Ben White, 417 00:19:48,154 --> 00:19:49,822 big industrial area, which I think is ripe for 418 00:19:49,822 --> 00:19:51,357 economic development. 419 00:19:51,357 --> 00:19:54,727 And so those are the main areas of -- of -- that I would hit on 420 00:19:54,727 --> 00:19:56,028 the tour. 421 00:19:56,028 --> 00:19:57,596 >> Ann. 422 00:19:57,596 --> 00:20:02,668 >> Well, I describe District 5 as a long narrow -- sometimes I 423 00:20:02,668 --> 00:20:07,373 talk about it as a boot because it -- it goes along south Lamar 424 00:20:07,373 --> 00:20:10,209 and South Manchaca all the way south of Slaughter. 425 00:20:10,209 --> 00:20:14,713 So I would say, you know, that it -- there's lot of wonderful 426 00:20:14,713 --> 00:20:17,083 places in District 5. 427 00:20:17,083 --> 00:20:20,052 So Onion Creek would be in the central place, 428 00:20:20,052 --> 00:20:23,255 to visit the neighborhoods in Onion Creek and then along 429 00:20:23,255 --> 00:20:30,463 Slaughter and up -- you know, going north along Manchaca, 430 00:20:30,463 --> 00:20:32,498 the neighborhoods between Stassney and -- and Slaughter, 431 00:20:32,498 --> 00:20:34,800 between William Cannon and Slaughter, 432 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:36,235 lots of old neighborhoods. 433 00:20:36,235 --> 00:20:39,171 People have been there for -- for awhile. 434 00:20:39,171 --> 00:20:47,480 Very, you know -- I was privileged to go to a July 4th picnic there. 435 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:49,348 And anyway, it's -- it's a wonderful area. 436 00:20:49,348 --> 00:20:51,817 And then of course, you head north of -- of Ben White 437 00:20:51,817 --> 00:20:54,120 [Laughter]. 438 00:20:54,120 --> 00:21:01,026 which is a -- along -- along Manchaca. 439 00:21:01,026 --> 00:21:05,331 And -- and then north and stop at the Broken Spoke, of course. 440 00:21:05,331 --> 00:21:07,500 And then head up to the lake area. 441 00:21:07,500 --> 00:21:09,769 So it's a -- it's a -- it's a great neighborhood. 442 00:21:09,769 --> 00:21:13,272 It's a great district in South Austin, 443 00:21:13,272 --> 00:21:15,307 and one of the nice things that's been happening as part of 444 00:21:15,307 --> 00:21:17,877 all of this is the neighbors have been getting to know them 445 00:21:17,877 --> 00:21:20,546 -- to know each other. 446 00:21:20,546 --> 00:21:23,415 The folks in the north part, the middle part, 447 00:21:23,415 --> 00:21:25,284 and the south part of the district. 448 00:21:25,284 --> 00:21:28,821 So I -- I'm planning on continuing that, 449 00:21:28,821 --> 00:21:30,823 encouraging that. 450 00:21:30,823 --> 00:21:33,759 >> So when you all were out in your districts campaigning, 451 00:21:33,759 --> 00:21:36,896 I want to hear from each of you, what surprised you the most when 452 00:21:36,896 --> 00:21:40,666 you were out on the campaign trail in this campaign? 453 00:21:40,666 --> 00:21:43,068 Delia, we'll start with you. 454 00:21:43,068 --> 00:21:47,706 >> What surprised me the most was continually educating voters 455 00:21:47,706 --> 00:21:49,775 on the 10-1 system. 456 00:21:49,775 --> 00:21:52,578 Many people did not know what district they lived in. 457 00:21:52,578 --> 00:21:57,082 They were a little familiar with the new districts but they 458 00:21:57,082 --> 00:21:59,185 didn't know what district that they lived in, 459 00:21:59,185 --> 00:22:03,155 and I -- there was a Statesman story about that, 460 00:22:03,155 --> 00:22:06,992 that -- that I was interview for and I think the response from 461 00:22:06,992 --> 00:22:09,828 the city was that, well, we have 78 candidates, 462 00:22:09,828 --> 00:22:12,431 we'll let 78 candidates educate the people, 463 00:22:12,431 --> 00:22:14,466 and I just -- I thought that was a poor decision. 464 00:22:14,466 --> 00:22:17,336 I think there should have been more help in educating the 465 00:22:17,336 --> 00:22:20,839 public on this -- I mean this is a historic change. 466 00:22:20,839 --> 00:22:23,642 So that was -- that was the most surprising is that a lot of 467 00:22:23,642 --> 00:22:26,345 people did not know -- towards the very end I start -- and -- 468 00:22:26,345 --> 00:22:28,614 but there again, you're knocking on the same doors, a lot. 469 00:22:28,614 --> 00:22:30,950 So I'm sure they were, oh, it's her again. 470 00:22:30,950 --> 00:22:32,218 [Laughter]. 471 00:22:32,218 --> 00:22:34,353 But then they knew they were in District 2. 472 00:22:34,353 --> 00:22:35,654 But that was surprising in the beginning. 473 00:22:35,654 --> 00:22:37,890 >> Ann. 474 00:22:37,890 --> 00:22:43,629 >> Well, you know, what struck me the most was how engaged 475 00:22:43,629 --> 00:22:45,331 people were -- were. 476 00:22:45,331 --> 00:22:46,799 How engaged people are, you know, 477 00:22:46,799 --> 00:22:49,268 and their -- their hope for change and their passion about 478 00:22:49,268 --> 00:22:50,603 change. 479 00:22:50,603 --> 00:22:53,706 I mean, the voter turnout in District 5 was very high, 480 00:22:53,706 --> 00:22:58,110 and a lot of the precincts, and people really wanted to be part 481 00:22:58,110 --> 00:23:03,883 of this; and so it really struck me as I talked to people all 482 00:23:03,883 --> 00:23:07,052 across the district, how they wanted to -- they wanted to talk 483 00:23:07,052 --> 00:23:11,290 about what needed to happen for South Austin and that people in 484 00:23:11,290 --> 00:23:14,526 South Austin had -- had felt like they had not been 485 00:23:14,526 --> 00:23:18,197 represented, and this was an opportunity to change that. 486 00:23:18,197 --> 00:23:20,165 So that really struck me throughout the whole entire 487 00:23:20,165 --> 00:23:22,334 campaign. 488 00:23:22,334 --> 00:23:23,269 >> And Kathie. 489 00:23:23,269 --> 00:23:25,070 >> I would say the same. 490 00:23:25,070 --> 00:23:28,073 Really, the level of engagement was very, 491 00:23:28,073 --> 00:23:31,043 very high and that was a really welcome surprise. 492 00:23:31,043 --> 00:23:34,546 You know, I campaigned in 2011 and -- and did some -- you know, 493 00:23:34,546 --> 00:23:36,382 as much as I was able to in two months, 494 00:23:36,382 --> 00:23:39,218 some door-to-door knocking, and people, certainly, 495 00:23:39,218 --> 00:23:41,954 were interested in the issues, but it was nothing compared to 496 00:23:41,954 --> 00:23:43,022 this cycle. 497 00:23:43,022 --> 00:23:45,991 People -- neighborhood associations held forums and 498 00:23:45,991 --> 00:23:48,427 debates and smaller organizations did as well. 499 00:23:48,427 --> 00:23:50,663 And just throughout the neighborhoods, 500 00:23:50,663 --> 00:23:53,032 it was really clear that people were so excited and engaged, 501 00:23:53,032 --> 00:23:56,302 not just with the -- with the race and the candidates who were 502 00:23:56,302 --> 00:23:58,237 running, but also the issues themselves, 503 00:23:58,237 --> 00:24:01,307 and it was -- and it -- and it -- it is a really unusual time 504 00:24:01,307 --> 00:24:05,044 because you did have groups forming around the district and 505 00:24:05,044 --> 00:24:09,648 so -- individuals from the Cherry Wood Neighborhood 506 00:24:09,648 --> 00:24:12,751 Association were talking to the Hyde Park Neighborhood 507 00:24:12,751 --> 00:24:13,919 Association and Bouldin Creek Neighborhood, 508 00:24:13,919 --> 00:24:16,622 and so you had people from -- from across the area who maybe 509 00:24:16,622 --> 00:24:19,158 hadn't met together as a group, talking about local issues and 510 00:24:19,158 --> 00:24:22,194 what is important to them and finding that they had a lot of 511 00:24:22,194 --> 00:24:24,430 similarities even though their neighborhoods might look very 512 00:24:24,430 --> 00:24:28,100 different and be in different geographic areas of -- of 513 00:24:28,100 --> 00:24:29,368 District 9. 514 00:24:29,368 --> 00:24:32,871 And so I -- I believe it really signifies a whole new level of 515 00:24:32,871 --> 00:24:34,573 public engagement going forward, too. 516 00:24:34,573 --> 00:24:36,975 A lot of those alliances will hold, 517 00:24:36,975 --> 00:24:40,346 and that level of engagement will -- will remain strong, 518 00:24:40,346 --> 00:24:43,115 I believe, and we'll have even more public participation down 519 00:24:43,115 --> 00:24:45,250 at City Hall, which is a very good thing. 520 00:24:45,250 --> 00:24:47,486 >> Well, we thank you for your participation, here, tonight. 521 00:24:47,486 --> 00:24:49,188 We've come to the end of our time, already, 522 00:24:49,188 --> 00:24:50,723 but we have a final question. 523 00:24:50,723 --> 00:24:52,791 We're short on time so one sentence each. 524 00:24:52,791 --> 00:24:56,028 At the end of your term, what is the biggest mark that you would 525 00:24:56,028 --> 00:24:58,130 like to leave on your district? 526 00:24:58,130 --> 00:25:00,766 Ann, we'll start with you, one sentence from each. 527 00:25:00,766 --> 00:25:04,603 >> I would like -- the biggest accomplishment would be that the 528 00:25:04,603 --> 00:25:09,208 people of South Austin feel like they're represented and that 529 00:25:09,208 --> 00:25:13,178 they have hope and engagement with their city. 530 00:25:13,178 --> 00:25:15,114 >> Kathie. 531 00:25:15,114 --> 00:25:18,050 >> I would like to see that we've really made progress on 532 00:25:18,050 --> 00:25:20,486 some of the big issues that we've been talking about as a 533 00:25:20,486 --> 00:25:22,521 community: affordability education, 534 00:25:22,521 --> 00:25:24,556 environmental sustainability, that we've really made 535 00:25:24,556 --> 00:25:28,560 measurable steps in all of those areas. 536 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:29,795 >> And Delia. 537 00:25:29,795 --> 00:25:33,732 >> And I would love to be able to say that not a single working 538 00:25:33,732 --> 00:25:36,802 class family has to leave Austin again so that would be a big 539 00:25:36,802 --> 00:25:39,004 accomplishment. 540 00:25:39,004 --> 00:25:41,206 >> Well, we are out of time for tonight, 541 00:25:41,206 --> 00:25:44,042 but thanks to all of you, Delia Garza, Ann Kitchen, 542 00:25:44,042 --> 00:25:45,411 and Kathie Tovo. 543 00:25:45,411 --> 00:25:47,146 All of the run-off conversations, 544 00:25:47,146 --> 00:25:50,082 including the conversation with candidates for Austin mayor will 545 00:25:50,082 --> 00:25:54,253 be available on YouTube and KLRU.TV. 546 00:25:54,253 --> 00:25:57,790 For KLRU, Leadership Austin, the Annette Strauss Institute for 547 00:25:57,790 --> 00:26:01,126 Civic Life and KUT, I'm Jennifer Stayton, 548 00:26:01,126 --> 00:26:05,898 thanks so much for watching. 549 00:26:05,898 --> 00:26:07,332 [Music]. 550 00:26:07,332 --> 00:26:08,534 [Applause]. 551 00:26:08,534 --> 00:26:09,868 [www.captionsource.com] 552 00:26:35,060 --> 00:26:37,696 >> Support for Civic Summit comes from Google, 553 00:26:37,696 --> 00:26:40,332 a global technology leader focused on improving the ways 554 00:26:40,332 --> 00:26:42,868 people connect with information, and also by Texas Mutual 555 00:26:42,868 --> 00:26:45,771 Insurance, providing workers' compensation for Texas 556 00:26:45,771 --> 00:26:47,673 employers.