Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile EXHIBIT A CITY OF AUSTIN WATER CONSERVATION PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC §288.2 and §288.5 November 21, 2024 Page 1 of 62 City of Austin Council Meeting Backup: 11/21/24 File ID: 24-6136 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Message from the Director Thank you for your interest in Austin’s most precious natural resource: water. The city was founded in the mid-1800s on the banks of the Colorado River to take advantage of that abundant water resource. Our water supply is just as critical today, but now we face unprecedented challenges: record high temperatures, record low flows into the Highland Lakes, water quality concerns, and continued rapid population growth. Together, we can meet these challenges. The City of Austin’s 100-year Water Forward Integrated Water Resources Plan is focused on water conservation and water use efficiency, as well as strategies to strengthen the diversity of Austin’s water supply. Austin has come a long way over the last decade – in 2023, we used essentially the same amount of water as we did in 2011, despite having 140,000 more residents. But the impacts from climate change require us to become even more water-wise and water-efficient. The update of this Water Conservation Plan is required by the State of Texas every five years to provide short-term strategies to address changing conditions. While Austin Water completed the required plan update in May 2024, we are now providing this November 2024 update to incorporate additional water conservation strategies. Even more importantly, the update is a necessary part of the city’s future sustainability. This document describes Austin Water’s conservation initiatives, programs, and projects to help residents and businesses increase their water use efficiency. In addition, it describes how Austin Water is maximizing our water supply from the Highland Lakes through conservation and water reuse. Learn more about what you can do to conserve our most precious resource at AustinWater.org. Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. Austin Water Director Page 2 of 62 City of Austin Council Meeting Backup: 11/21/24 File ID: 24-6136 Water Conservation Plan and Utility Profile Table of Contents Message from the Director ...................................................................................................... 2 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 4 Conservation Program History ................................................................................................ 7 Public Education and Information ........................................................................................... 9 Residential Customer Programs ........................................................................................... 11 Regulatory Programs ............................................................................................................. 18 Metering and Water Loss ....................................................................................................... 21 Water Reuse............................................................................................................................ 24 Water Rates ............................................................................................................................ 27 Goals for Water Use and …
..De Item 16 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 13, 2024 Council: November 21, 2024 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of a resolution repealing Resolution No. 20240502-005, which adopted the prior Water Conservation Plan for Municipal and Wholesale Water Use, and adopting an updated Water Conservation Plan, which describes Austin Water’s ongoing water conservation strategies, programs and goals, as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. Lead Department Austin Water. Prior Council Action: May 5, 2016 – Council approved Resolution No. 20160505-0004 adopting a new Drought Contingency Plan and related revisions to City Code Chapter 6-4 (Water Conservation). November 29, 2018 - Council approved adoption of Water Forward, Austin’s Integrated Water Resource Plan. April 11, 2019 – Council approved Resolution No. 20190411-002, repealing Resolution No. 20140417-004 and adopting the Utility Profile & Water Conservation Plan for Municipal and Wholesale Water Use as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). May 2, 2024 – Council approved Resolution No. 20240502-005, repealing Resolution No. 20190411-002 and adopting the Utility Profile & Water Conservation Plan for Municipal and Wholesale Water Use as required by the TCEQ. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 4, 2024 – Recommended by the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force (Water Forward Task Force) on a vote of 7 in favor with Task Force Member Moriarty opposed and Task Force Members Faust and Lorenz absent. November 13, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. November 19, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin is required by the TCEQ to file a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) and a Water Conservation Plan (WCP) under Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Chapter 288. A DCP establishes a series of drought stages and the measures to curtail water use during specific times of drought. A WCP describes a utility’s water use profile and describes water conservation goals and programs to reduce water use and otherwise increase water use efficiency. These plans are required to be updated on a five-year basis and submitted to the TCEQ. Austin’s last WCP was approved by Council on May 2, 2024. At the time of adoption, Austin Water committed to reviewing the WCP in further collaboration with the Water Resource Task Force and in conjunction with the anticipated update of the City’s 2024 Water Forward Plan. The …
EXHIBIT A CITY OF AUSTIN DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN Developed to Meet Requirements Outlined in 30 TAC § 288.20 and § 288.22 Water Conservation Division City of Austin, Texas PWS # 2270001 November 21, 2024 City of Austin Council Meeting Backup: 11/21/24 File ID: 24-6137 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan Table of Contents SECTION I: DECLARATION OF POLICY, PURPOSE, AND INTENT ..................................................................... 2 SECTION II: BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................... 2 SECTION III: TRIGGER CONDITIONS AND GOALS ............................................................................................... 7 SECTION IV: DROUGHT RESPONSE MEASURES .............................................................................................. 11 SECTION V: WHOLESALE CONTRACT PROVISIONS ........................................................................................ 22 SECTION VI: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT................................................................................................................... 23 SECTION VII: PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND EDUCATION................................................................................... 23 SECTION VIII: COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL PLANNING GROUPS (RPG)............................................... 24 SECTION IX: TCEQ NOTIFICATION ...................................................................................................................... 24 SECTION X: PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATES ........................................................................................................ 24 APPENDIX A: WATER CONSERVATION CODE ................................................................................................... 25 APPENDIX B: WATER CONSERVATION PENALTY CODE ................................................................................. 26 APPENDIX C: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLAN .................................. 34 APPENDIX D: TRANSMITTAL LETTER TO REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP .................................................... 35 Page 1 of 36 City of Austin Council Meeting Backup: 11/21/24 File ID: 24-6137 City of Austin Drought Contingency Plan Section I: Declaration of Policy, Purpose, and Intent The City of Austin (the City) maintains a decades-long commitment to ensuring a sustainable water supply through demand management measures. The latest update to Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan (the Plan) builds upon this legacy. This iteration of the Plan retains all measures from previous versions while incorporating new strategies to better address droughts in the future. Designed as a comprehensive strategy, the Plan focuses on addressing water shortages and emergencies, with specific attention to domestic water use, sanitation, fire protection, and public well- being. In accordance with Section 11.1272 of the Texas Water Code and Chapter 288 of Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, the City regularly updates this plan, underscoring the importance of adaptability to evolving water supply dynamics. This document outlines the City's strategic response to challenges posed by demand surges, infrastructure constraints, and droughts, including historical critical droughts. Through coordination with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), the Drought Contingency Plans of both the LCRA and the City are consistent in terms of targets and goals. The City’s plan is more proactive, including the implementation activities necessary to conserve water. Detailed within the regulatory framework of the City of Austin’s Municipal Code, the Water Conservation Code (updated in conjunction with this plan in May and November 2024) …
..De Item 17 Water & Wastewater Commission: November 13, 2024 Council: November 21, 2024 Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval of a resolution repealing Resolution No. 20240502-004, which adopted a revised Drought Contingency Plan, and adopting the Drought Contingency Plan, which includes drought or emergency response stages due to water supply shortages, sets targets for water use reduction and other elements required by state law, as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. Lead Department Austin Water. Prior Council Action: May 5, 2016 – Council approved Resolution No. 20160505-0004 adopting a new Drought Contingency Plan and in a separate item Council approved related revisions to City Code Chapter 6-4 (Water Conservation). November 29, 2018 - Council approved adoption of Water Forward, Austin’s Integrated Water Resource Plan. April 11, 2019 - Council approved Resolution No. 20190411-002 repealing Resolution No. 20140417-004 and adopting the Utility Profile & Water Conservation Plan for Municipal and Wholesale Water Use as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). May 2, 2024 – Council approved Resolution No. 20240502-004 repealing Resolution No. 20160505-004 and adopting a Drought Contingency Plan as required by the TCEQ. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 4, 2024 – Recommended by the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force (Water Forward Task Force) on an 8-0 vote with Task Force Members Faust and Lorenz absent. November 13, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. November 19, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin is required by the TCEQ to file a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) and a Water Conservation Plan (WCP) under Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 30, Chapter 288. A DCP establishes a series of drought stages and the measures to curtail water use during specific times of drought. A WCP describes a utility’s water use profile and describes water conservation goals and programs to reduce water use and otherwise increase water use efficiency. These plans are required to be updated on a five-year basis and submitted to the TCEQ. Austin’s last DCP was approved by Council on May 2, 2024. At the time of adoption, Austin Water committed to reviewing the DCP in further collaboration with the Austin Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force and in conjunction with the anticipated update of the City’s 2024 Water Forward Plan. The …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and Council Members THROUGH: Robert Goode, P.E., Assistant City Manager FROM: Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E., Director, Austin Water DATE: November 5, 2024 SUBJECT: Water Forward – Austin’s Integrated Water Resource Plan Update Austin Water is pleased to share the 2024 update to Water Forward--Austin’s Integrated Water Resource Plan (Water Forward Plan), which supports a sustainable and equitable water future for Austin’s next 100 years. Revisions to Austin’s Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan have also been completed and complement the strategies in the Water Forward Plan. These plans are slated for City Council consideration on November 21, 2024. BACKGROUND Austin’s first Water Forward Plan was unanimously adopted by City Council in November 2018. It established the community’s first integrated water resource plan, and Austin Water has worked diligently to implement the plan’s strategies since adoption. A summary of key milestones in the implementation of Water Forward 2018 is attached. WATER FORWARD 2024 UPDATES As part of our adaptive management approach, Austin Water began updating the Water Forward plan in late 2021. The updated plan is the culmination of detailed technical analysis along with extensive community input. The plan development process was led by Austin Water with support from the Council- appointed Integrated Water Resource Planning Community Task Force (known as the Water Forward Task Force). In addition, Austin Water convened a Climate Technical Advisory Group to provide subject matter expertise throughout the plan update and obtained technical support from the University of Texas at Austin on developing climate projections. This effort also incorporated a Community Ambassador Cohort to provide broader participation of historically underrepresented communities in the plan’s Equity and Affordability Road Map. A listing of advisory bodies and consultants who contributed to Water Forward 2024 Plan development is attached. Water Forward 2024 builds on the 2018 plan and provides a roadmap to a sustainable, resilient, equitable, and affordable water future for Austin for the next 100 years. Most of the strategies reflected in the Water Forward 2018 plan continue as key strategies in the Water Forward 2024 plan. In the future, the lower Colorado River and Highland Lakes system that provides Austin’s drinking water supply will Page 1 of 8 likely experience impacts from regional growth, droughts, and climate change. Water Forward includes a 50-year portfolio of conservation, reuse, and supply strategies to meet these challenges. …
Water & Wastewater Commission Water Forward 2024 Water Conservation Plan Drought Contingency Plan 1 Shay Ralls Roalson, PE November 13, 2024 Water Forward Water Forward is Austin’s 100-year integrated water resource plan, unanimously adopted by Council in November 2018. Water Forward identifies diverse and environmentally-conscious water management strategies to adapt to growth, drought, and climate change and ensure a sustainable, resilient, equitable, and affordable water future for our community. 2 Planning for Uncertainty Population Growth Climate Change 3 Combined Storage Lakes Buchanan and Travis 4 Adaptive Management Plan Conservation Reuse Supply Partnerships 5 Portfolio Evaluation 6 Recommended Portfolio Utility-Side Water Loss Control • Production meter improvements • Expanded active leak detection programs • Additional analysis of smart meter data Customer Side Water Use Management • Expanded customer incentives for conservation • Use of smart meter data for customer-side leak identification, education, and outreach • Water use budgeting Native & Efficient Landscapes • New landscape ordinances & incentives • • Irrigation efficiency incentives Landscape conversion programs Non-Potable Reuse • Onsite Water Reuse Systems • Decentralized Reclaimed • Centralized Reclaimed Water Supply Storage Aquifer Storage and Recovery Decker Lake Off Channel Reservoir Potable Reuse Indirect Potable Reuse New Water Supplies Brackish Groundwater Desalination Strategies reliant on Colorado River and LCRA supplies 7 Water Forward Plan: Changes between 2018 and 2024 Updated climate and hydrology Planning for uncertainty 100-year adaptive management pathways Equity and affordability roadmap Colorado River Land Analysis for water quality protection Expanded water conservation and water loss control Future use of Lake Walter E. Long for off-channel storage 8 Conservation and Drought Planning Water Conservation Plan (WCP) Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) Plan for all weather conditions Focuses on drought conditions Describes • Utility and water use information • Conservation (rebates, education, enforcement) • Water loss reduction • Reuse activities Includes water consumption and water loss goals Describes • Drought Stages • Drought Triggers (demand and supply) • Drought Actions & Restrictions Must be consistent with the LCRA DCP Requires Chapter 6-4 changes 9 Water Conservation Plan: Changes between 2019 and 2024 Update and expand descriptions and metrics of current conservation activities Updated water use goals based on ‘bottom-up’ estimate of potential savings Proposed new or expanded activities to meet goals: • Single-family landscape transformation • Commercial conservation incentives • Water …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON AGING NOVEMBER 13TH, 2024 AT NOON CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS, 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Halana Kaleel, 512- 972-5019, Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov. CURRENT MEMBERS: Richard Bondi, Chair Gretchen Flatau, Vice-Chair Mariana Gonzalez Austin Adams Suzanne Anderson Jacqueline Angel Jennifer Scott Preston Tyree Henry Van de Putte Vacancies since Sep 2024: Mayor’s Office, Travis County Martin Kareithi Gloria Lugo Tina Rodriguez Teresa Ferguson AGENDA ADDENDUM DISCUSSION ITEMS 10. Update on the October 2024 Joint Inclusion Committee Meeting (Chair Bondi). The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Halana Kaleel at Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5019, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission on Aging, please contact Halana Kaleel at 512-972-5019.
REGULAR MEETING of the EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL NOVEMBER 13, 2024, 9:00 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in person or remotely via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Cathy McHorse, Chair Corie Cormie Tom Hedrick Andrea McIllwain Alice Navarro Ellana Selig Choquette Hamilton, Vice Chair Eliza Gordon Cynthia McCollum Brianna Menard Casie Schennum AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register 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. 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on October 9, 2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Updates on the Affordable Child Care Now Coalition and Travis County Proposition A 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation from the Early Childhood Council Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup about the updated study timeline and scope Updates from the October Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting, including quorum of JIC representatives for budget season and promoting the JIC’s virtual Voices and Choices session on November 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Overview of the Fiscal Year 2026 City of Austin budget process and action to appoint a FY26 budget workgroup STAFF BRIEFINGS Briefing from Caitlin Oliver, Austin Public Health (APH), regarding the Home Grown grant for home-based child care providers; and updates from related local early childhood groups such as Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Austin ISD, and Child Care Regulation FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov, for additional …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – 4:00PM Permitting and Development Center Conference Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the committee may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email preservation@austintexas.gov or call Sam Fahnestock at (512) 974-3393. COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Kevin Koch JuanRaymon Rubio Harmony Grogan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten (10) speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2426 Hartford Rd. Old West Austin National Register Historic District Council District 10 Proposal: Total demolition. Applicant: Jennifer Smith 1. 2. 1013, 1015, 1101 1113, 1115 West Lynn St.; 1004, 1006, 1102, 1104 Eason St. West Line National Register Historic District Council District 9 3. 4. 5. Proposal: Partial demolition and new construction. Applicant: Victoria Haase 1508 Westover Rd. Old West Austin National Register Historic District Council District 10 Proposal: Demolition of carport, new construction rear unit. Applicant: Douglas Powell 1010 E Cesar Chavez St. Council District 3 Proposal: Addition, remodel of existing patio, partial demolition. Applicant: Victoria Haase 2600 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Council District 1 Proposal: Total demolition and new construction. Applicant: Leah Bojo ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call the Historic Preservation Office at 512-974-3393 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Historic Landmark Commission, please contact Sam Fahnestock, Planner II, at 512-974-3393; Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Officer, at 512-974-2727. ,£, First Floor City of Austin Permitting and Development Center () OD Coffee Shop South Elevator;; ' . Event Center Trahng Courtyard Employee Entrance lNo,-k:,t;;.tio,os 110-8.01 · 1108.16 Dr.;wing not …
City of Austin Council Meeting Backup: November 21, 2024 File ID: 24-6051 M/WBE Summary The City’s Small and Minority Business Resources Department has determined that no goals are appropriate for this solicitation. The following recommended contractor has complied with the City’s MBE/WBE Procurement Program in subcontracting areas identified and were approved by the Small & Minority Business Resources Department. NON MBE/WBE TOTAL - PRIME Siemens Logistics LLC, Irving, TX NON MBE/WBE – SUBCONTRACTOR(S) L25, LLC dba Link Staffing Services, Houston, TX (staffing services) B&R Project Management, Aurora, CO (staffing services) Page 1 of 1
City of Austin Recommendation for Action File #: 24-6116, Agenda Item #: 55. 11/21/2024 Posting Language Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract for software licenses and subscriptions, software support, professional services, consulting, and training to support the Department of Aviation’s project management information software system with EC America Inc., for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $3,670,000. - Funding in the amount of $540,714 is available in the Capital Budget of the Department of Aviation. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Department of Aviation. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $540,714 is available in the Capital Budget of the Department of Aviation. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: Multiple cooperative purchase programs were reviewed for these services. The Financial Services Department and the Department of Aviation have determined this contractor best meets the needs of the Department of Aviation to provide these services required for the City. MBE/WBE: Cooperative Agreement contracts are exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program); therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. For More Information: Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: November 13, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Airport Advisory Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract is for software licenses and subscriptions, software support, professional services, consulting, and training to support the Department of Aviation’s (Aviation) Project Management Information software system (PMIS). This system provides Aviation’s Planning and Development Division with a consolidated platform for document management, process automation, reporting, risk management and financial forecasting related to the Airport’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including the Airport Expansion and Development Program (AEDP), Rolling CIP, and Tenant Improvements. PMIS is critical to the success of the AEDP. The City of Austin Page 1 of 2 Printed on 11/4/2024 powered by Legistar™ File #: 24-6116, Agenda Item #: 55. 11/21/2024 system provides a structured approach to planning, organizing, and managing resources, tasks, and data. It also ensures project compliance with industry regulations, standards, and internal program governance by maintaining a traceable record of all actions and decisions. The implementation of the PMIS has established robust program controls, streamlined …
City of Austin Office of the City Auditor Risk Assessment Aviation Risk Assessment October 2024 This is a special report to assess risks related to the City’s Aviation Department operations at the Austin- Bergstrom International Airport. We evaluated risks across 13 different categories within the control of the Aviation Department. For a summary of these categories, see Appendix A. Based on our work, the top three risk areas facing the Aviation Department are: 1. contract and vendor management 2. asset management and maintenance 3. emergency management and safety Although we are not issuing recommendations in this report, these top risk areas will be considered in our annual audit planning process, which may result in future audits. Contents Objective & Background What We Found Appendix A Appendix B Scope & Methodology 2 3 7 10 11 Cover: The Airport entrance sign at nighttime, City of Austin. Objective Identify possible audit projects for the 2025 and future audit plans based on an assessment of the top risk areas facing the City of Austin’s Aviation Department. Background The Aviation Department markets Austin’s Airport as AUS. The Federal Aviation Administration classifies airports into categories based on their traffic volume and activities. Large hub airports like AUS receive 1% or more of the annual U.S. commercial passenger enplanements. The City of Austin owns the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (Airport). The Aviation Department operates the Airport with a fiscal year 2024 budget of approximately $343 million and 674 full-time employees. In addition to City of Austin employees, Aviation staff reported that around 8,000 airline, construction, concession, and other contracted employees work at the Airport. The Aviation Department is an enterprise department that generates its own revenue to cover operating costs instead of using local tax dollars. The Airport opened in 1999 with the capacity to accommodate 11 million travelers, annually. However, the Airport has significantly outgrown its capacity, recently transitioning from a medium to a large airport. In 2020, the Airport experienced a dip in the number of traveling passengers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this figure began rebounding in 2021 and continues to rise year over year, with over 22 million travelers in 2023. Exhibit 1: Annual passenger traffic at the Airport has recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic, surpassing pre-pandemic levels Note: Travelers decreased significantly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: OCA analysis of Airport passenger data, August 2024 2 Office of the …
RCA Cover Sheet for ZWAC-Revised Sept. 2024 ORGANICS PROCESSING SERVICES PROGRAM SOLICITATION # (IFB 1500 RGW1023) ZWAC: 11/13/2024 Council: 11/21/2024 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: Authorize execution of a contract for compost processing services with Employee-Owned Nursery Enterprises LTD d/b/a Organics By Gosh, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $11,800,000. ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $2,163,333 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. 2. Solicitation Information Solicitation No: IFB 1500 RGW1023 # of bids received: 2 # of non-responsive bids received: 1 Length of time solicitation was out on the street: 30 DAYS Was the time extended? YES Issued date: 07/22/2024 Closed date: 08/20/2024 Major Scope Change(s): Scope changes include adding a preference for vendor to have two processing facilities and to accept more materials such as cotton balls and dryer lint. 3. Previous Contract Information Previous contract: Organics Processing Services Program Contract number: NA200000006 Contract length and authorization: Three years with two 1-year extensions Contract actual spend: $3,948,500.69 (as of 11.05.2024) Current status: Active Contract execution date: 10/24/2019 Contract expiration date: 02/21/2025 RCA Cover Sheet for ZWAC-Revised Sept. 2024 4. Notes/Other The Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) Department’s Comprehensive Plan serves as a guide for the City to achieve its Zero Waste goal of reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills by 90% by the year 2040. Zero Waste is a shift from traditional waste management to materials management, where trash is what remains once we reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost. The compost program is expected to expand from 44,722 tons collected in FY23 towards a potential of up to 60,000 tons of compost materials delivered annually. The purpose of this contract is to support the City’s Zero Waste initiatives. City vehicles will collect and deliver approximately 50-loads daily from current ARR residential and commercial customers with ARR carts (e.g., small businesses, food permitted businesses, etc.) participating in the services, to the Contractor. The contract will provide compost processing services, including processing, sorting, and composting of organics, yard waste, food scraps, and food-/oil-soiled compostable paper, as well as marketing services to include detailed data reporting to support the City’s residential curbside compost materials collection services. The Contractor …
To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Richard McHale, Director, Austin Resource Recovery November 13, 2024 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission On-Demand Expansion In April 2018, ARR began an on-demand pilot program for the collection of bulk items. The bulk pilot has been operating on two collection routes in Central Austin and Northeast Austin. During this period, ARR has completed nearly 16,000 service orders and collected 3,072 tons of material. The pilot allowed customers to schedule up to three (3) bulk collections at their convenience. With a goal for diversion, ARR was able to divert such items as metals, appliances, electronics, and tires. Shifting to on-demand services eliminates the need to wait up to six months for twice annual collection. In January 2023, ARR began an on-demand pilot program for brush collection. The brush pilot has been operating two collection routes in Northwest Austin and Southeast Austin. Over the course of the pilot, ARR has collected 355 tons of brush material. The pilot allows customers to create their own schedule as a way to mitigate wildfire risk and manage annual tree pruning. Further benefits of both on-demand services include reducing the carbon footprint as collection crews will know exactly which addresses to service and eliminates the need to drive an entire route looking for stops. The on-demand expansion will also add to fuel savings throughout the year and gives the customer control over when they want to be serviced. Media A press release announcing that ARR is changing the way it offers bulk and brush collections to residential curbside customers was distributed on Monday, October 28. Beginning in January 2025, the services will move from predetermined biannual schedules to on-demand. Household hazardous waste (HHW) collection will also be launched citywide in January. ARR Solicitation Updates As of November 5, 2024 ZWAC Meeting November 13, 2024 Preparing for Council: • Compost Processing Services: The Contractor shall provide complete processing, sorting, and composting of organics, yard waste, food scraps, and food-/oil-soiled compostable paper, as well as marketing services to include detailed data reporting to support the City’s residential curbside compost materials collection services. Tentative Council date 11/21/2024. Link to the current contract. Published: • N/A • N/A Expected to be Published Within 90 days: Definitions: CCO CO-OP ILA IFB RFI RFQ RFQS RFP (Capital Contracting Office): Administers the procurement of professional and construction services. …
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. WORKING DOCUMENT: Tourism Commission Road Map November 2024 – December 2025 Agenda Topics, Potential Speakers & Community Presenters Note: All meetings take place on Wednesdays from 2:30pm-4:30pm in City Council Chambers (unless modified by venue availability) December 11, 2024 – Proposed: Tourism Commission Work Session January 2025 – A New Year for Tourism – Convention Center & HOT Taxes February 2025 – Revenues for Tourism – Revisiting STRs & Bonds for Tourism Destinations March 2025 – The Austin Film Industry April 2025 – The Economic Impact of Austin Tourism/Athletics & Tourism May 2025 – Celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week June 2025 – Festivals, Food & Fun July 2025 – Parks & Greenspace August 2025 – Proposed: No Meeting September 2025 – Museums & Tourism October 2025 – Historic Preservation & Tourism November 2025 – Tourism Snapshot – Where we are and where we’re going December 2025 – Tourism Commission Work Session
Smoke-Free Community Policy Alec Puente TX Government Relations Director Why is Clean Air Important? Review of the Research around Smoke-Free Air • US Surgeon General: Secondhand smoke linked to disease and premature death and those who do not smoke. • Children at higher risk for SIDS, acute respiratory problems, ear infections, asthma attacks, and slowed lung growth • Adults suffer cardiovascular effects, coronary heart disease, and lung cancer • No risk-free level of exposure, regardless of ventilation systems • No adverse impact on hospitality industry • Centers for Disease Control: risk of myocardial infarction and heart disease increases rapidly at relatively small doses, such as those from secondhand smoke • Secondhand smoke is particularly hazardous to elderly people, individuals with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with impaired respiratory function, including asthmatics and those with obstructive airway disease. 2 Business Impacts • Data, surveys, and qualitative research all indicate that smoke-free policies are popular and do not have an adverse effect on economic activity. • The North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study (issued by J.D. Power and Associates) found that, “Nearly nine of 10 guests (89%) say they prefer a smokefree hotel environment in 2008.” • World Health Organization: “smoke-free policies often have a positive economic impact.” • Data shows no effect on bar or restaurant employment. • University of Florida: no negative effect on hotel, restaurant, or tourism revenue or employment; small positive effect on restaurant revenue. • Smoke-free policies have positive effects on profitability, productivity, maintenance costs, and insurance rates. 3 Electronic Smoking Devices & Secondhand Aerosol E-cigarettes, vaporizers, an other new products • ESDs heat and vaporize a solution typically containing nicotine. These are now the most commonly-used form of tobacco by youth in the US. • Not emission-free; the aerosol contains volatile organic compounds, ultrafine particles, heavy metals, and flavorings linked to lung disease and cancer. • May exacerbate respiratory ailments like asthma, or constrict arteries leading to a heart attack. of nicotine. environments. • Non-smokers exposed to cigarette smoke and ESD aerosols absorb similar levels • ESDs have gained competitive advantages in part because of loopholes and gaps in regulation that have allowed them to be used in typically-smoke free • Exposure is declining, but more than 20% of nonsmoking adults are still exposed to secondhand smoke. 4 Policy Solutions Comprehensive Smoke-Free Air Ordinances • National best practice states that an ordinance should apply to smoking …
Electronic Cigarettes ST E PHA NIE HE L F M A N AU ST IN P U BL I C HEA LT H M A N AGER, C HRON I C DI S EASE A N D I N JURY P R E V ENTION P ROG R AM What Are Electronic Cigarettes? •“E-cigs,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems” •Produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals that is inhaled. Source: CDC The Evolution of Electronic Cigarettes Source:: Sherburne Substance Use Coalition Truth Initiative Vaping Lingo Dictionary: https://truthinitiative.org/sites/default/files/media/files/2020/06/Truth_Vaping_Lingo_Dictionary_FINAL.pdf “Consumers have no way of knowing the doses they are inhaling, the types or concentrations of potentially harmful chemicals, or if e-cigarettes are safe for their intended use.” -2009 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) E-Cigarette Facts • Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine • Long-term effects are still being learned • Secondhand aerosol, or vapor, is NOT harmless water vapor. • E-cigarette aerosol degrades indoor air quality. “Youth use e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product” -Centers for Disease Control and Prevention E-Cigarettes and Youth Use of E-Cigarettes, By Grade Texas Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023 20% 14% 12% 8% 8% 4% Grade 6 Grade 9 Grade 12 Past Month Lifetime 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Substances in E-Cigarette Aerosol Photo credit: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html Disposable Vaping Devices •Most popular type of e-cigarette with youth •Disposable e-cigarettes were exempt from federal restrictions on flavors. •Following exemption, disposable e-cigarettes increased in popularity about 1,000% among high school e-cigarette users. Photo credit: Truth Initiative Vaping and Mental Health MYTH: Nicotine can help relieve stress Nicotine can increase feelings of anxiety and depression and increase stress. Source: Truth Initiative Emerging Products: Oral Nicotine Pouches Contain nicotine power instead of tobacco leaf May be marketed as “tobacco-free” Come in flavors such as fruit and mint Second most common tobacco product among middle school and high school youth Photo credit: Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids Laws & Regulations Federal Laws ◦ Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (2009) ◦ FDA regulation of cigarettes, smokeless, and roll-your-own tobacco ◦ FDA regulates all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and vape pens. (2016) ◦ Tobacco 21 Law (2019) ◦ Raised the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years ◦ Policy on Flavored E-cigarettes (2020) ◦ FDA Limits flavors for specific e-cigarette devices ◦ Menthol exemption ◦ Disposables …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE EQUITY-BASED PRESERVATION PLAN WHEREAS, Austin’s existing plan to guide historic preservation policies, programs, and activities was adopted in 1981; and WHEREAS, both Austin and the historic preservation field have changed substantially in the past 43 years; and WHEREAS, the Historic Landmark Commission initiated the development of a new preservation plan for Austin in 2021; and WHEREAS, the resulting Equity-Based Preservation Plan (the preservation plan) was developed by a community working group with members from across Austin bringing diverse lived experiences as well as professional and community expertise; and WHEREAS, broad, inclusive outreach and engagement around the draft preservation plan reached more than 2,500 people throughout the city to review and comment on the plan’s goals and recommendations; and WHEREAS, the Tourism Commission received a briefing on the draft preservation plan at its April 2024 meeting; and WHEREAS, the community working group and Historic Landmark Commission revised and finalized the preservation plan based on public feedback; and WHEREAS, the preservation plan aligns with and furthers the goals of the Tourism Commission, particularly recommendations related to moving forward the incentives for placemaking and preservation that provide incentives for creating tourism destinations in Austin. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN TOURISM COMMISSION: The Austin Tourism Commission recommends that City Council adopt the Equity-Based Preservation Plan and support its timely implementation.
