REGULAR MEETING of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TUESDAY MAY 7, 2024, at 5:00pm BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 CITY HALL- 301 W 2nd St. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Urban Transportation Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register please call or email the staff liaison in advance at (512)-974-3428 or natalie.leone@austintexas.gov no later than noon on Monday May 6, 2024 with the following information: name, item number(s) to speak on, telephone number, and email address. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Heather Buffo - (District 1) Melissa Ortiz- (District 2) Arlin Alvarez- (District 3) Susan Somers, Chair- (District 4) Daniel Kavelman-( District 5) Edward Smith- (District 6) Diana Wheeler- (District 7) Athena Leyton- (District 8) Spencer Schumacher- (District 9) Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair- (District 10) Deshon Brown- (Mayoral Appointee) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Transportation Commission REGULAR MEETING on April 2, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on I35 Cap and Stitch Presenters: Michelle Marx, Shannon Riley, and Lauren Ramirez, Transportation and Public Works 3. Update from Capital Delivery Services with attention to Corridor Program community engagement and communication in relation to corridor construction plans Presenter: Eric Bailey, Capital Delivery Services DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of 2015 Whitis Ave and 2010 University Avenue Presenter: Joseph Fotinos, Transportation and Public Works 5. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation an Alley between 2001-2011 Whitis Avenue and 2000-2004 University Avenue Presenter: Joseph Fotinos, Transportation and Public Works 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on dockless micromobility regulations and transportation-related rule making Presenter: Joseph Al-Hajeri, Transportation and Public Works Facilitator: Susan Somers, Chair COMMITTEE UPDATES 7. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Downtown Commission regarding 8. Update from Commissioner Wheeler from the Joint Sustainability Commission regarding actions taken …
Urban Transportation Commission May 7, 2024 I-35 TODAY The East/West Divide I-35 AT 5TH STREET I-35 UPPER & LOWER DECKS 2 OUR FUTURE 35 The Opportunity Our Future 35 can provide transformational new infrastructure for Austin that is of regional and national significance • TxDOT project lowering the main lanes allows the City to deck over the highway • Up to 30 acres of new urban real estate • Local enhancement can provide an array of community benefits and change the landscape of Austin IMAGE: Klyde Warren Park, Dallas 3 POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF FREEWAY CAPS • Reconnect East and West Austin • Change the landscape of Central Austin • Create marquee public space for citywide use • Support / incubate local businesses • Address local noise and air quality concerns • Create climate resilient public spaces 4 CAP AND STITCH OVERVIEW Potential Cap Locations Potential UT Cap Locations Potential Stitch Location 5 OUR FUTURE 35 Cap and Stitch Definitions TX DOT BASELINE STITCH – Enhanced freeway overcrossing providing 30 feet of bike/ped and landscaping behind the curb COA STITCH – Freeway deck less than 300 feet long (no tunnel ventilation required) CAP – Freeway deck greater than 300 feet long (effectively creates a “tunnel” and requires fire/life safety) 6 WHERE ARE CAPS POSSIBLE? Height Clearances The image below shows a cross section through a highway cap. The cap needs to have at least 16 ½ feet height clearance above the roadway and any ramps or structures. Highway Cap Highway Bridge 16 ½ feet clearance (min) Roadway Surface Beneath Deck 7 WHAT IS POSSIBLE ON TOP OF CAPS? Maximum Building Heights • Buildings may be 1-2 stories max. • Buildings 3 stories or higher would require additional engineering and cost (unlikely to be feasible). Open Space / Park Features One to Two Story Buildings Roadway 8 CAP & STITCH COMPONENTS Roadway Elements + Tunnel Elements and Cap + Amenities Amenities Deck Cap COA-Funded Roadway Elements COA-Funded Deck Structures COA-Funded Amenities Roadway Elements - Preserves the opportunity to build Caps and Amenities in the future. 9 KT0 FUNDING STATUS (All Costs = 2024 Dollars) Decision by Dec 2024 Decision by Dec 2026 Concept Decision by Dec 2024, Final Layout by 2032+ Recurring Annually 2032+ Deck Costs Amenity Costs O&M Costs Structural Design Costs Roadway Elements Costs Acres ($M) ($M) Design ($M) Structure ($M) Amenities ($M) Construction ($M) 1.05 0.23 5.28 3.72 2.10 …
CITY OF AUSTIN - R.O.W. VACATION MASTER COMMENT REPORT As of: April 18, 2024 PROJECT NUMBER: 2022-163460 LM PROJECT NAME: 2022-163460 LM (2015 Whitis Avenue) LOCATION: 2015 WHITIS AVE, AUSTIN, TX 78705 Reviewer Phone Attempt Date Approved Date Carlos Delgado (512) 978-4655 11/17/2022 11/17/2022 Re: 2022-163460 LM (2015 Whitis Avenue) R.O.W. Vacation Application Accepted Carlos Delgado DSD Land Management plant_maintenance <plant_maintenance@astound.com> Astound doesn't have any aerial or underground plant in this area. We agree to release the easement. Review Dept. LM Astound Approved Comments: LM AT&T (SWBT) Comments: Approved With Conditions Pamela Johnson (512) 978-4655 11/16/2022 11/16/2022 RE: 2022-163460 LM (2015 Whitis Avenue) R.O.W. Vacation Application Accepted JOHNSON, PAMELA A DSD Land Management ahendrix@abaustin.com AT&T approves with the agreement that any damages or relocation of our facilities is paid for by the applicant/owner/contractor. If you need to relocate any lines please call to Initiate a CWO please call into the department voicemail box at 1-855-581-9891 and leave message. someone will return your call. 4/18/24 73002_f_lm_master_report Page 1 The applicant agrees to the retention of a Public Utility Easement to remain in place until existing facilities arerelocated by the applicant. _____________________________________Andrew Linseisen, Authorized Agent 4/18/2024 As of: April 18, 2024 PROJECT NUMBER: 2022-163460 LM PROJECT NAME: 2022-163460 LM (2015 Whitis Avenue) LOCATION: 2015 WHITIS AVE, AUSTIN, TX 78705 Review Dept. LM ATD Review Approved Comments: None Reviewer Phone Attempt Date Approved Date 512-974-1217 12/20/2022 12/20/2022 LM Austin Resource Recovery Review Approved Michael Zavala (512) 974-1837 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 Comments: I see no issues with this vacation that would hinder any ARR services in this area. 4/18/24 73002_f_lm_master_report Page 2 As of: April 18, 2024 PROJECT NUMBER: 2022-163460 LM PROJECT NAME: 2022-163460 LM (2015 Whitis Avenue) LOCATION: 2015 WHITIS AVE, AUSTIN, TX 78705 Review Dept. Reviewer Phone Attempt Date Approved Date LM AW Infrastructure Management Rejected Comments: Eli Pruitt 512-972-0493 12/07/2022 Austin Water (AW) does not recommend the requested Right of Way (R.O.W.) Vacation at this time. The request is better described as being a 0.0482-acre tract of land situated in the T.J. Chambers Survey, Abstract No. 7 Travis County, Texas, being all of an Alley situated in the Louis Horst¿s Subdivision Outlot No. 21, Division ¿D¿ as shown on a plat recorded in Volume Z, Page 594 and 613 Plat Records of Travis County, Texas, and with an address of 2015 Whitis Avenue and 2010 University Avenue Austin, TX 78705. There is …
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M E M O R A N D U M Urban Transportation Commission Joseph Fotinos, Project Manager Land Management, Transportation and Public Works Department 4/25/2024 F# 2022-163460 LM Alley Right-of-Way Vacation approximately 0.0482 acres abutting 2015 Whitis Avenue and 2010 University Avenue. Attached is the Application Packet and Master Comment Report pertaining to the alley vacation application for an approximately 0.0482 acres portion of land, being the paved/developed right of way abutting 2015 Whitis Avenue and 2010 University Avenue situated in the Louis Horst’s Subdivision Outlot No. 21, Division “D” as shown on a plat recorded in Volume Z, Page 594 & 613 Plat Records of Travis County, Texas. The proposed vacation tract will be added to the abutting parcels 0212030505 and 0212030506. The abutting properties are owned by The Catholic Diocese of Austin. Per the transmittal letter dated November 1, 2022, received by the City of Austin, the applicant states, “How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? Response: The property owned by the Catholic Diocese of Austin will be redeveloped with church related facilities. All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the application and recommend approval, subject to the reviewers’ conditions shown on the attached Master Comment Report. Per City Code §14-11-71 – Notice to Interested Property Owners Public notice has been sent to owners within 300’ of the area to be vacated. The director of the Public Works Department may approve the application after the 10th day that the notice is issued; and an affected property owner may submit comments regarding the proposed vacation. Public Notice was sent to appropriate parties on April 22, 2024. No objections have been received by staff as of the date of this memorandum. The applicant has requested that this item be submitted for placement on the May 7, 2024 Urban Transportation Commission. Staff contact: Joseph Fotinos, Project Manager Transportation and Public Works Department, 512-974-4659, landmanagementROW@austintexas.gov Richard T Suttle, Jr. 512-435-2300, ALinseisen@abaustin.com Applicant: Abutting Landowner(s): Catholic Diocese of Austin. The applicant and/or property owner’s representative will be present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding future development and the vacation request. Attachments: Application Packet Master Comment Report
CITY OF AUSTIN - R.O.W. VACATION MASTER COMMENT REPORT As of: April 22, 2024 PROJECT NUMBER: 2022-150547 LM PROJECT NAME: 2022-150547 LM (2000 University Avenue) LOCATION: 2000 UNIVERSITY AVE, AUSTIN, TX 78705 Review Dept. LM Astound Approved Comments: LM AT&T (SWBT) Comments: Reviewer Phone Attempt Date Approved Date Carlos Delgado (512) 978-4655 11/17/2022 11/17/2022 carlos.delgado@astound.com Re: 2022-150547 LM Alley ROW Vacation (Whitis and University Avenue) R.O.W. Vacation Application Accepted Carlos Delgado DSD Land Management plant_maintenance <plant_maintenance@astound.com Astound doesn't have any aerial or underground plant in this area. We agree to release the easement. Approved With Conditions Pamela Johnson (512) 978-4655 11/17/2022 11/17/2022 RE: 2022-150547 LM Alley ROW Vacation (Whitis and University Avenue) R.O.W. Vacation Application Accepted JOHNSON, PAMELA A pb9891@att.com DSD Land Management ahendrix@abaustin.com AT&T approves with the agreement that any damages or relocation of our facilities is paid for by the applicant/owner/contractor. 4/22/24 73002_f_lm_master_report Page 1 As of: April 22, 2024 PROJECT NUMBER: 2022-150547 LM PROJECT NAME: 2022-150547 LM (2000 University Avenue) LOCATION: 2000 UNIVERSITY AVE, AUSTIN, TX 78705 Review Dept. LM ATD Review Approved Comments: None Reviewer Phone Attempt Date Approved Date 512-974-1217 12/20/2022 12/20/2022 LM Austin Resource Recovery Review Approved Michael Zavala (512) 974-1837 12/08/2022 12/08/2022 Comments: I see no issues with this vacation that would hinder any ARR services in this area. 4/22/24 73002_f_lm_master_report Page 2 As of: April 22, 2024 PROJECT NUMBER: 2022-150547 LM PROJECT NAME: 2022-150547 LM (2000 University Avenue) LOCATION: 2000 UNIVERSITY AVE, AUSTIN, TX 78705 Review Dept. Reviewer Phone Attempt Date Approved Date LM AW Infrastructure Management Rejected Comments: Eli Pruitt 512-972-0493 12/07/2022 Austin Water (AW) does not recommend the requested Right of Way (R.O.W.) Vacation at this time. The request is better described as being a 0.1127-acre tract of land situated in the T.J. Chambers Survey, Travis County, Texas, being all of an Alley situated in the Louis Horst¿s Subdivision Outlot No. 21, Division ¿D¿ as shown on a plat recorded in Volume Z, Page 594 and 613 Plat Records of Travis County, Texas, and with an address of 2001-2011 Whitis Avenue Austin, TX 78705. There is an existing 4-inch Cast Iron (CI) water line, a proposed 4-inch and 8-inch Ductile Iron (DI) water line, an existing 8-inch wastewater line, a proposed 8-inch Polyvinylchloride (PVC) wastewater line, and 2 wastewater manholes within the requested easement release. Easement release can be reconsidered when 1. The existing water lines, wastewater lines and associated …
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M E M O R A N D U M Urban Transportation Commission Joseph Fotinos, Project Manager Land Management, Transportation and Public Works Department 4/25/2024 F# 2022-150547 LM Alley Right-of-Way Vacation approximately 0.1127 acres abutting 2000-2004 University Avenue and 2001-2011 Whitis Avenue. Attached is the Application Packet and Master Comment Report pertaining to the alley vacation application for an approximately 0.1127 acres portion of land, being the paved/developed right of way abutting 2000-2004 University Avenue and 2001-2011 Whitis Avenue situated in the Louis Horst’s Subdivision Outlot No. 21, Division “D” as shown on a plat recorded in Volume Z, Page 594 & 613 Plat Records of Travis County, Texas. The proposed vacation tract will be added to the abutting parcels 0212030512, 0212030509, 0212030508 and 0212030507. The abutting properties are owned by The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System. Per the transmittal letter dated November 1, 2022, received by the City of Austin, the applicant states, “How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? Response: The property owned by the University of Texas will be redeveloped with UT related facilities. All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the application and recommend approval, subject to the reviewers’ conditions shown on the attached Master Comment Report. Per City Code §14-11-71 – Notice to Interested Property Owners Public notice has been sent to owners within 300’ of the area to be vacated. The director of the Public Works Department may approve the application after the 10th day that the notice is issued; and an affected property owner may submit comments regarding the proposed vacation. Public Notice was sent to appropriate parties on April 24, 2024. No objections have been received by staff as of the date of this memorandum. The applicant has requested that this item be submitted for placement on the May 7, 2024, Urban Transportation Commission. Staff contact: Joseph Fotinos, Project Manager Transportation and Public Works Department, 512-974-4659, landmanagementROW@austintexas.gov Richard T Suttle, Jr. 512-435-2300, ALinseisen@abaustin.com Applicant: Abutting Landowner(s): The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System. The applicant and/or property owner’s representative will be present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding future development and the vacation request. Attachments: Application Packet Master Comment Report
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20240506-00X: Dockless Micromobility Regulations and Transportation-related Rulemaking WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan calls on the city to “Emphasize and incentivize shared mobility solutions” by developing and focusing on ”shared mobility services and systems to provide first-mile/last-mile mobility solutions and increase shared trips on the transportation network”; WHEREAS, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) highlighted Austin in its 2022 Report on Shared Micromobility in the U.S. and Canada as having the second most used e-scooter system in North America with a ride per vehicle per day average of 2.7, which NACTO called “stand out for e-scooter rides per vehicle per day compared to peer cities.”; WHEREAS, following Superpedestrian/Link ceasing operations in North America at the end of 2023, the Austin e-scooter system contracted in size by 29%, losing 2,000 scooters from the system; D R A F T WHEREAS, on March 28th, 2024, Transportation and Public Works (TPW) Director Richard Mendoza briefed the City Council Mobility Committee on “upcoming changes to our department regulations regarding the operations of micro-mobility devices” and cited safety, general aesthetics, and watershed protection as the main issues the regulations were meant to address; WHEREAS, according to the City of Austin Vision Zero Viewer, the number of e-scooter-related serious injuries decreased 50% from 12 in 2022 to 6 in 2023, and the number of deaths decreased from 2 to 0 over the same period; WHEREAS, despite the regulations being effective April 1st, the changes were not incorporated into the “Director’s Rules for Deployment and Operations of Shared Small Vehicle Mobility Systems”, the changes are not listed anywhere on the City of Austin website, and vendors were not formally notified of the changes until April 11th; WHEREAS, the changes communicated to vendors in the “Enhanced Regulations to the Shared Mobility Program” included the following changes: ● “Maintain the number of licensed micro-mobility vendors at 2”, ● “No increases to device permits for current licensed operators”, Transparency ● “Maintain the total number of permitted scooters citywide at 6,700”, ● “Reduce the number of scooters allowed to operate in the Downtown Area Project Coordination Zone (DAPCZ) to 1,125 per licensed vendor”, ● “Reduce maximum speed from 15mph to 10mph between 10pm and 5am daily in the main entertainment districts of the urban core”, and ● “Assign restricted and designated device staging areas and require rebalancing of devices to assigned areas …
Urban Transportation Commission May 7, 2024 Shared Mobility Program Update Joseph Al-hajeri, Parking Enterprise Manager Michael Kimbro, Shared Mobility Supervisor 1 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services BRIEFING OVERVIEW 2023 System Overview Speed Limit Reduction Operational Policies/ Data Collection Regulation Background Recent Program Updates: Licensing & Permitting Designated Staging/ Parking Areas Recent Program Updates: Operations Next Steps Q&A 2 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services 2023 System Overview Current Operators | Fleet Size Lime | 3,700 scooters & 180 ebikes Bird | 3000 scooters 2023 Total Trips Lime 1,868,208 scooters & 63,402 ebikes Bird 791,337 Link 224,246 Wheels 33,109 Total Distance Travelled 2,927,690 miles Trips per Major Area 2,081,017 (70%) within DAPCZ 395,048 (13%) within UT/West Campus Events Austin City Limits Festival Weekend One: 59,175 trips Weekend Two: 62,881 trips SXSW 142,540 trips 16,556 median trips per day (7,315 typically) 3 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services Quick Background Regulation Texas Transportation Code, Title 7 • Chapter 551. - Operation of bicycles and mopeds, golf carts, and other low- powered vehicles. Title 14 Use of Streets and Public Property • § 14-9-23 - City-wide dockless transportation license authorized. • § 14-9-24 - City-wide dockless transportation unit placement plan. • § 14-9-25 - License amendment, suspension, or revocation. Title 12 Traffic Enforcement • § 12-2 - Micro-Mobility Devices and Bicycles. Director Rules for Deployment and Operation of Shared Small Vehicle Mobility Systems City Approved Fees Fee Type License Fee Fee Schedule $1,500 per year Collection Collected bi-annually in December & June Per Device Permit Fee $80 per device/ per year Collected bi-annually in December & June Per Trip Fee $0.15 per trip Collected Monthly 4 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services Operational Policies/Data Collection Data from provider API utilizing Mobility Data Specification Data aggregated by Ride Report Real-time visibility and reporting How TPW Monitors/ Enforcement • Third-party data management • Geofencing/device performance restrictions • Calls/Customer Service Requests (CSR) • CSR response audits • Staff device audits • Shared communications channel during special events Results of Enforcement of Director Rules • • • Impounds Reduction in Service Denial of license and/or device permits 5 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services Recent Program Updates License & Permit Changes Maintain the number of licensed micro-mobility vendors at 2. No increases to device permits for current licensed operators. ACTIVE ACTIVE Maintain the total number of permitted scooters citywide at 6,700. ACTIVE 6 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services Recent Program Updates Operations Changes Reduce …
CORRIDOR PROGRAM Community Engagement Urban Transportation Commission Urban Transportation Commission May 7, 2024 May 7, 2024 Eric Bailey, PE Eric Bailey, PE Deputy Director Deputy Director Capital Delivery Services Capital Delivery Services Building the City of Austin in collaboration with the community to enrich the experience of all who live, work, and play here. 1 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Community walks Business Open House Corridor Website & Newsletter Updates Business Workshops Virtual Public Hearings Planning Letters Meetings with Impacted Property Owners Social Media Media Advisories City of Austin | Capital Delivery Services Department | One City, One Team, One Approach 2 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Public Meetings Open House Events Corridor Coffee on the Couch Virtual Public Hearings Mobility Bond Office Hours Business Information Sessions (Virtual) Homeowner/Neighborhood Associations Presentations Touch-a-Truck City of Austin | Capital Delivery Services Department | One City, One Team, One Approach 3 CORRIDOR MOBILITY PLAN ENGAGEMENT 2017 2018-2020 2020-2022 2023 *Capital Delivery Services created 2024 • Direct mail • Open houses • Community walk • Block walking • Block walking • Block walking • Phone calls to adjacent • Social media posts • Stakeholder briefings • Business Workshops • 1-on-1 meetings with affected property owners businesses • Virtual public hearings • 1-on-1 meetings with affected property owners • Traffic Advisories • Media advisories • Project update newsletters • Stakeholder meetings • 1-on-1 meetings with affected property owners • Multifamily property outreach • Community walks • Homeowner and neighborhood association meeting presentations • Touch a Truck event • Block walking • Social media posts • Traffic Advisories • Media advisories • Project update newsletters • Stakeholder meetings • 1-on-1 meetings with affected property owners • Multifamily property outreach • Community walks • Customer notification letter (collaboration with Austin Energy) • Homeowner and neighborhood association meeting presentations City of Austin | Capital Delivery Services Department | One City, One Team, One Approach 4 AIRPORT BLVD Completed Intersection @ Oak Springs Dr Intersection @ Gunter St In construction North Lamar Blvd to 55th Intersection @ E 40th St Intersection @ Harvey St Construction upcoming 55th St to 45th St E MLK Blvd to Mokan Trail Bridge Mokan Trail Bridge to US 183 Pending 45th St to East Martin Luther King Jr Blvd 5 BURNET RD Completed Koenig Ln to White Horse Trl Intersection @ Braker Ln In construction AE Kramer draining site Construction upcoming White Horse Trl to US 183 Bright Verde Way …
