It has been an honor to serve the people of Austin these last two and a half years. I believe that Austin is better off than before I ran for council. But we have just begun to scratch the surface and there is still a lot left to do. That is why your support is so needed. Together we can finish the work we have started for small business, for keeping Austin affordable, and for protecting our quality of life. Below is a list of my achievements during my term on City Council, and with your help and your vote I will continue to work hard in my next term.
Keeping Austin Affordable
Collaborated with builders to voluntarily contribute to affordable housing until a formal policy could be developed by the Affordable Housing Incentives Taskforce.
Brought together a coalition of experienced leaders in the housing industry, including builders and affordable housing advocates to develop incentives for affordable housing throughout Austin.
Advocate for the inclusion of affordable housing in all city-sponsored development downtown, including the Green Water Treatment Plant.
Created the Families and Children Taskforce to study ways to increase affordable, family-sized housing and quality child care in the city.
Lead the development of a comprehensive housing market study to assess the current supply and demand of housing across the city at all income levels to better plan for affordable housing needs in the future.
Support the efforts of the Community Development Commission to create a housing preservation policy to mitigate the replacement of the existing stock of affordable housing by luxury apartments and condominiums.
Passed a resolution to make homeless services a priority for the city, including Project Recovery which transitions homeless individuals into jobs and housing.
Supported the city's implementation of Mortgage Credit Certificates to increase homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers in Austin.
Directed the city manager to include specific objectives and methods for providing affordable, family-sized housing in the Austin Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan update.
Cosponsored the re-establishment of the day labor advisory committee.
Voted against the construction of Water Treatment Plant #4 on the Balcones Canyonland Preserve and supported a moratorium to find a new location.
Voted against funding the construction of SH 45 SW over the Edwards Aquifer and recharge zone.
Cosponsored a resolution adopting goals to achieve zero energy capability in all new single-family home construction in Austin by 2015.
Joined public citizens and the SEED Coalition in speaking out against the South Texas Project nuclear power plant.
Elected to the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities in December 2006. Brought forth three resolutions that were adopted and included in the NLC National Municipal Policy. The resolutions promote plug-in hybrids, a coal tar pavement sealant ban, and zero energy capable homes.
Obtained a public commitment from TxDOT to allow the City of Austin to monitor the protection of Williamson Creek from construction-related pollution and de-vegetation in relation to the expansion of US 290.
Cosponsored a resolution supporting HB 3039 to prohibit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from issuing permits authorizing direct discharges of wastewater into the contributing zone or recharge zone of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
Directed the development of a marketing campaign to the most energy inefficient households in the city to promote Austin Energy's energy rebates to better achieve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs for those households.
Cosponsored a resolution opposing the permitting of new coal-fired power generating facilities without proper analysis of the impacts on pollution levels and measures to require cleaner fuels and emission reductions.
Am an advocate of the Regional Water Quality Management Plan.
Successfully advocated for an additional $20 million to preserve environmentally sensitive land over the aquifer for a total of $50 million in the bond package.
Am expediting the creation of new erosion and sedimentation standards to mitigate construction-related pollutants over the Edwards Aquifer and contributing zones.
Secured a requirement for council approval for commercial redevelopment over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Have the highest percentage of supporting neighborhood-led valid petitions than any current city council member.
Worked with Oak Hill residents to get stronger protections for Williamson Creek and historic Oak trees during road expansion and helped neighborhoods organize against the tolling of the expansion of Highways 71 and 290.
Voted against all proposed TXDOT Phase II toll roads.
Voted for and advocated for the establishment of additional requirements for the location of Big Box retail stores.
Opposed and voted against the placement of billboards in existing neighborhoods and on scenic roadways.
Cosponsored the establishment of the African-American Cultural Arts District, which identifies unique landmarks such as the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center and Huston-Tillotson University.
Cosponsored the prohibition of use of loud engine breaks on residential roadways.
Supported the funding for the expansion of a boardwalk at the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail.
Voted against allowing large restaurants in neighborhood commercial (LR) zoning districts, which are often placed immediately next to single-family residences.
Am leading the revision of the city's residential remodel code to prevent the skirting of the city's land development code.
Supported a ballot measure to place the city attorney under the authority of the city council.
Cosponsored an ordinance to establish a property damage fund within the Austin Water Utility to reimburse those who experience water and wastewater damage caused by the Austin Water Utility or the City of Austin.
Sponsored the creation of a new program to allow residents along the MoPac corridor to use home energy rebates for better insulation as a method to reduce traffic noise caused by the highway.
Initiated developing a 3D-visualization planning program to allow neighborhoods to analyze potential and future development, beginning with Downtown and the Lady Bird Lake corridor.
Am the only council member to listen to and support the recommendations of the neighborhood in the East Oltorf / Riverside Neighborhood Plan.
Voted in favor of changes to the parkland dedication fee to increase funding for neighborhood parks in existing neighborhoods.
Worked with the Austin Parks Foundation to direct the development of Gus Garcia Park.
Passed an affirmation of the city's commitment to the "Whistle-Blower Act" to protect public employees' rights to voice concerns.
Initiated the development of the Healthy Community Initiative at Mueller Redevelopment for residents and surrounding communities, which is to be replicated in other Austin neighborhoods.
Voted to support the Pfluger Bridge Extension Protect to ensure safe access to everyone wanting to enjoy Lady Bird Lake, including those with special needs.
Sponsored the implementation of LED countdown crosswalk signals along Cesar Chavez to improve safety for pedestrians downtown and at Lady Bird Lake.
Requested a needs assessment to consider the addition of an addition staff psychologist for the mental health needs of the Austin Police Department.
Created a red light safety camera program to reduce traffic collisions and improve safety at dangerous intersections.
Created the Student Safety Taskforce to look at ways to reduce crime and improve safety for university students in Austin.
Lobbied the Texas Legislature to appropriate funding to the Austin-San Antonio Rail Corridor to start commuter rail service connecting the Central Texas Region.
Formed a staff task force to recommend improvements to childcare options for city employees during nights and weekends.
Directed city staff to develop a pilot plan to assist small retail businesses wanting to expand to multiple sites to encourage the growth of local independent businesses.
Passed a resolution requiring compliance with the city's minority and women-owned business standards for the construction of public improvements, including developer participation contracts, economic development agreements, and third-party agreements.
Lobbied the Texas Legislature to pass legislation to allow municipalities to create a small business procurement program.
Helped finance the Bootstrap Bootcamp, a course preparing entrepreneurs and innovators in all fields to provide further resources for small business needs.
Helped establish a Small Business Outreach Liaison charged with making sure fledgling small businesses know about the extensive services and classes offered by the city.
Helped Austin secure the location of Samsung Austin Semiconductor, which added at least 700 jobs, plus 200 permanent, full-time positions for suppliers and a $445 million boost to the local economy.
Served as a liaison for small business impacted by local development, including a local recording studio that feared its business would be affected by the opening of a live music venue next door.
Secured a new Development Coordinator position in the Small Business Development Assistance department. Since being hired in July, 2007, the coordinator has already assisted over 40 business owners with various permitting and zoning issues.
Initiated first-ever Information Technology Business Development conference ĞEight agencies participated in addition to the City of Austin, 167 participants attended, 61 picked up info on certification from SMBR representatives. There were 30 new vendor registrations and 10 vendor updates.
Opposed the location of a Walmart Supercenter at Northcross Mall that will threaten the survival of dozens of established small, local businesses.
As Chair of the MWBE and Small Business Subcommittee, I ensure that contractors use the m/wbe subcontractors they've committed to.
Pol Ad Paid for by the Jennifer Kim Campaign,
Cecilia Crossley, Treasurer. P.O. Box 42258, Austin, TX 78704.
kimforaustin@gmail.com 512.617.2987
This campaign has not agreed to comply with the contribution and expenditure limits of the Austin Fair Campaign ordinance.
