While serving on Austin City Council from 2017-2020, Jimmy led on many issues and accomplished much for the residents of Austin.

Affordability & Fiscal Responsibility
  • Successfully limited tax increases in the 2018 and 2020 city budgets (and voted against the 2017 and 2019 budgets)
  • Authored and passed unanimously multiple resolutions focused on pandemic economic response for industries impacted by SXSW cancellation
  • Launched COVID-related economic loan and grant programs for small businesses, child-care, non-profits, and pandemic-related costs
  • Supported COVID-related economic support for individuals, including the RISE fund and rental assistance programs
  • Held firm on police union contract negotiations in 2018, substantially reducing costs to the taxpayers
  • Held firm on fire union contract negotiations in 2018, substantially reducing overtime costs, saving millions of dollars
  • New investments in workforce development to help current Austinites attain higher paying jobs
  • Addressed water meter errors, working with D6 residents to prove discrepancies in water bills leading to an unprecedented apology by Austin Energy
  • Worked with Rep. John Bucy III to file bills in the 2019 Texas Legislature to allow for senior and veteran discounts on the city’s drainage fee as well as a bill that would eliminate a decades-old exemption allowing developers around Lakeline Mall to avoid paying traffic impact fees for new development.
Safety
  • Held firm on police union contract negotiations in 2018, substantially reducing costs to the taxpayers, leading to the creation of the new Office of Police Oversight and allowing anonymous complaints to be submitted
  • Led on fire union contract negotiations in 2018, substantially reducing overtime costs, saving millions of dollars
  • Approved an efficiency study process for Fire and EMS to help streamline operations in a way that can reduce costs and improve response
  • Completed purchase of land in District 6 for a new public safety facility, which when combined with Fire and EMS service, will help dramatically reduce response times
  • Funded new community health paramedics and tele-health options for 9-1-1 which will divert mental health calls currently handled by police officers
  • Funded new ambulances and EMTs to address growth and gaps in service for District 6
  • Approved expanded agreements and shared equipment with surrounding public safety agencies to help address the 9-1-1 confusion for our residents living along the city limits
  • Connected Domestic Violence nonprofits with the Austin Hotel & Lodging Association to provide temporary supportive housing for victims of DV trapped in violent situations during quarantine
  • Added new monies in the budget for wildfire protection
  • As Chair of the Judicial Committee (now expanded into the Public Safety Committee), led an unprecedented review and reformation of our municipal court bench and completed the construction of a new Municipal Court, moving operations out of the unsafe downtown location
  • Included flooding infrastructure improvements for Angus Valley neighborhood in the approved 2018 bond
Community & Social
  • Formed the City of Austin LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission in 2017
  • Facilitated the creation of the City of Austin Stonewall Equality Employee Network (SEEN)
  • Launched a series of Voting Pep Rally events for seniors at Westwood and McNeil High Schools in District 6
  • Passed a resolution to dramatically expand the City Asian American Resource Center
  • Passed a resolution naming the Berl Handcox Water Treatment Plant honoring the first African-American elected to Council under the Manager-Council form of government
  • Launched a first-of-its-kind live stream video podcast to inform the community during the pandemic
Traffic and Mobility
  • Anderson Mill Road under construction
  • Bypass road at 2222 & 620 under construction
  • 183 Express Lanes approved
  • Capital Metro bus stop improvements
  • School safety improvements at Live Oak Elementary & Deerpark Middle School
  • School safety improvements for the Holy Family school campus on Neenah Rd.
  • Pedestrian improvements at Westwood High School
  • Improved drop-off areas for Spicewood Elementary
  • New traffic signals funded on Anderson Mill Rd and Avery Ranch Blvd
  • New sidewalks funded on McNeil Rd
  • Neighborhood speeding pilot program in Davis Spring neighborhood
  • Partnered with Williamson County to add turn lanes on Lakeline Blvd
  • Partnered with Williamson County for school safety improvements at Elsa England Elementary, Pearson Ranch Middle School, and Patsy Sommer Elementary
  • Amending the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan to add future roadways in D6 that will help alleviate congestion on Parmer Ln, help with access to Vandegrift HS and Four Points MS, and add new transit priority and commuter routes 
  • Fought hard against efforts that reallocated funds away from previously-approved improvements on 620 by supposed “centrists” on CAMPO
Health
  • Funded new community health paramedics and tele-health options for 9-1-1 which will divert mental health calls currently handled by police officers
  • Funded new ambulances and EMTs to address growth and gaps in service for District 6
  • Approved purchase of hotels for conversion into temporary and permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness
  • Connected Domestic Violence nonprofits with the Austin Hotel & Lodging Association to provide temporary supportive housing for victims of DV trapped in violent situations during quarantine
  • First new public park added in District 6 near the Davis Spring neighborhood
  • Approved continue divestment of the most-polluting energy sources by Austin Energy