Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting Minutes Friday, August 9, 2024 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Friday, August 9, 2024 The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular called meeting on Friday, August 9, 2024, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St Austin, Texas. Chair Meyer called the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting to order at 5:55 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Elisabeth Meyer, Chair Conor Kelly Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jonathan Franks, Vice Chair Lisa Chang Jennifer Powell Kristen Vassallo PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities regular meeting on July 12, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 07/12/2024 were approved on Commissioner Vassallo’s motion, Vice Chair Frank’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Hogan was off the dais. Commissioners Arellano, Fetonte, Hogan and Salazar were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Presentation by Angela Baucom, Food and Climate Program Coordinator, Office of Sustainability, on the Austin/Travis County Food Plan and next steps on the path to adoption. 1 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting Minutes Friday, August 9, 2024 Presentation given by Angela Baucom, Food and Climate Program Coordinator, Office of Sustainability. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Review of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities website. 4. Discussion on plans for 2024 Disability Awareness month including a possible proclamation Chair Meyer presented. and awards. Discussed. Postponed. Postponed. Postponed. 5. Discussion on Disability Employment and Entrepreneur Awards. 6. Discussion on Disability Pride and Disability Awareness in 2025. 7. Discussion on the 2022 Disability Quality of Life Study. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Austin Police Department Office of Community Liaison – October Equity Based Preservation Plan – September and possibly October Joint Inclusion Committee updates – September (Meyer, Powell) Human Resources presentation and discussion – September (Kelly, Chang) Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the 09/13/2024 meeting on Commissioner Salazar’s motion, Commissioner Chang’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Meyer, Vice Chair Franks, and Commissioner Fetonte were absent. 2
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Building and Standards Commission may be participating via videoconference. The meeting may also 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Melanie Alley at 512-974-2679 or melanie.alley@austintexas.gov. AGENDA The Building and Standards Commission (“Commission”) may go into a closed session under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel or for other reasons permitted by law as specifically listed on this agenda. Further, if necessary, the Commission may go into a closed session as permitted by law regarding any item on this agenda. Building and Standards Commission Members Logan Schugart Christopher H. Sokol Stephen Truesdell, Fire Marshal (Ex Officio) Edward Selig Timothy Stostad, Chair Blaine Campbell, Vice-Chair Michael Francis Joseph Benigno Luis Osta Lugo CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five 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. 1. Approve the minutes of the Building and Standards Commission regular meeting on June APPROVAL OF MINUTES 26, 2024. PUBLIC HEARINGS New Case(s) The Commission will hear the following cases concerning alleged violations of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and may issue an order to vacate, relocate occupants, repair, demolish, or secure the premises; and may assess civil penalties: 2. Case Number: CL 2024-022470 Property address: 6307 Clubway Lane / Owner: Ramona Hipolito Roman Page 1 Staff presenter: Latasha Paterno Staff recommendation: Repair single-family residential structure 3. Case Number: CL 2024-068535 Property address: 3811 Grayson Lane / Owner: LoneStar Capital Holdings, LLC Staff presenter: Michael Larner Staff recommendation: Demolish single-family residential structure 4. Case Number: CL 2024-076026 Property address: 8301 Los Ranchos Drive / Owner: Eric B. Ulteig Staff presenter: Johnny Serna Staff recommendation: Repair single-family residential structure Returning Case(s) The Commission will hear the following returning cases that concern alleged violations …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE HIV PLANNING COUNCIL BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024, 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, RM. 1203 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE, AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: Join the meeting now 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 the Office of Support at (737)-825-1684 or email HIVPlanningCouncil@austintexas.gov. CURRENT HIV PLANNING COUNCIL MEMBERS: Kelle’ Martin, Chair Marquis Goodwin, Vice Chair, Conflicted Alicia Alston Joe Anderson, Conflicted, Non-Voting Liza Bailey Aran Belani Zachery Garay, Conflicted AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ashley Garling Judith Hassan, Conflicted Rocky Lane, Non-Voting Kristina McRae-Thompson Gin Pham Fareeha QureshI The first 10 speakers signed up no later than noon on 8/7/2024 will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. Members will declare conflict of interest with relevant agenda items, service categories, 1. August 7, 2024 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS and/or service standards STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Introductions/Announcements 4. Data Questions from Council DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and approval of Resource Allocation Plan for Fiscal Year 25 (FY25) 6. Discussion and approval of Minority AIDS Initiative Service Categories for FY25 7. Discussion and approval of Increase/Decrease Plan for FY25 8. Discussion and approval of Assessment of the Administrative Mechanism Tool Fiscal Year 24 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 9. Review of workplan calendar ADJOURNMENT Indicative of action items 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. TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For More Information on the HIV Planning Council, please contact Office of Support at (737)-825-1684 or email HIVPlanningCouncil@austintexas.gov.
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, August 8, 2024 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION SPECIAL-CALLED MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024 The BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION convened in a SPECIAL-CALLED meeting on 8 August 2024, at the CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC), 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE, ROOM 1405, in Austin, Texas. CHAIR TIMOTHY STOSTAD called the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION (BSC) Meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Timothy Stostad, Vice Chair Blaine Campbell, Commissioners: Michael Francis, Luis Osta Lugo, Logan Schugart, Edward Selig. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Christopher Sokol. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Joe Ford appeared before the commission for public communication to request a penalty relief hearing at a future date for the BSC order on 901 E Cesar Chavez (CL 2021-034963). Leslie Zuniga appeared before the commission for public communication to request a penalty relief hearing at a future date for the BSC orders on 1221 Algarita Avenue, Exterior and Unit 277 (CL 2023-040275 and CL 2023-038121). APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on June 26, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of June 26, 2024 were approved on COMMISSIONER FRANCIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER SCHUGART’s second, with no objections. COMMISSIONER BENIGNO was absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Conduct a public hearing and consider an appeal regarding case number CL 2024-022470; Property address: 6307 Clubway Lane. 1 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, August 8, 2024 3. 4. 5. COMMISSIONER SELIG moved to close the public hearing, COMMISSIONER SCHUGART’s second, with no objections. VICE CHAIR CAMPBELL moved to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions of law and adopt staff’s recommendation for repair of the residential structure within 45 days, with a civil penalty of $250 per week beginning on the 46th day from the date the order is mailed and continuing until compliance is achieved, COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO’s second. The motion passed on an 7-0 vote. COMMISSIONER BENIGNO was absent. Conduct a public hearing and consider case numbers CL 2024-058535; Property address: 3811 Grayson Lane. COMMISSIONER SELIG moved to close the public hearing, COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL’s second, with no objections. VICE CHAIR CAMPBELL moved to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions of law and adopt City staff’s recommendation, with the modification of order for demolition to order for repair of the residential structure within 45 days, with a civil penalty of $250 per week beginning …
Historic Landmark Commission Applications under Review for August 7, 2024 Meeting This list does not constitute a formal agenda and is subject to change. A final agenda will be posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. 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. Historic zoning applications Historic landmark and historic district applications 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 1500 W 24th Street – Owner-initiated historic zoning. 1403 W 10th Street – Owner-initiated historic zoning. 3311 Lafayette Avenue – Owner-initiated historic zoning. 1500 E 12th Street – Commission-initiated historic zoning. (Postponed to September 4, 2024) 900 Spence Street – Commission-initiated historic zoning. (Postponed to September 4, 2024) 801 Lydia Street – Robertson/Stuart & Mair Local Historic District – Total demolition. 1807 E Cesar Chavez Street – Berner-Clark-Mercado House – Repair and replace deck and rails, paint exterior. 2305 E 21st Street – Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Local Historic District – New construction accessory dwelling unit. 203 W 32nd Street – Aldridge Place Local Historic District – Replace garage door with windows. 1607 W 10th Street – Mary Baylor House – Addition. 4107 Speedway – Hyde Park Local Historic District – Additions. 2900 Tarry Trail – Gatewood House – Addition, new doors and windows, new siding. 1011 E 9th Street – Robertson/Stuart & Mair Local Historic District – Remodel, repair, repaint. National Register district permit applications 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 1409 Alta Vista Avenue – Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District – Total demolition. 600 Congress Avenue – Congress Avenue National Register Historic District – Sign. 600 Congress Avenue – Congress Avenue National Register Historic District – Second sign. 4200 Wilshire Parkway – Wilshire Wood National Register Historic District – Total demolition. 4200 Wilshire Parkway – Wilshire Wood National Register Historic District – New construction. 1607 Kenwood Avenue – Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District – Addition. 1519 Alameda Drive – Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District …
Historic Landmark Commission Applications under Review for August 7, 2024 Meeting This list does not constitute a formal agenda and is subject to change. A final agenda will be posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. 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. Historic zoning applications 1500 W 24th Street – Owner-initiated historic zoning. 1403 W 10th Street – Owner-initiated historic zoning. 3311 Lafayette Avenue – Owner-initiated historic zoning. 1500 E 12th Street – Commission-initiated historic zoning. 900 Spence Street – Commission-initiated historic zoning. 9037 Butler Hike and Bike Trail – Commission-initiated historic zoning. (Postponed to September 4, 2024) 1300 Springdale Road – Commission-initiated historic zoning. (Postponed to September 4, 2024) Historic landmark and historic district applications 801 Lydia Street – Robertson/Stuart & Mair Local Historic District – Total demolition. 1807 E Cesar Chavez Street – Berner-Clark-Mercado House – Repair and replace deck and rails, paint exterior. 2305 E 21st Street – Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Local Historic District – New construction accessory dwelling unit. 203 W 32nd Street – Aldridge Place Local Historic District – Replace garage door with windows. 1607 W 10th Street – Mary Baylor House – Addition. 4107 Speedway – Hyde Park Local Historic District – Additions. 2900 Tarry Trail – Gatewood House – Addition, new doors and windows, new siding. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 1011 E 9th Street – Robertson/Stuart & Mair Local Historic District – Remodel, repair, repaint. National Register district permit applications 1409 Alta Vista Avenue – Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District – Total demolition. 600 Congress Avenue – Congress Avenue National Register Historic District – Sign. 600 Congress Avenue – Congress Avenue National Register Historic District – Second sign. 4200 Wilshire Parkway – Wilshire Wood National Register Historic District – Total demolition. 4200 Wilshire Parkway – Wilshire Wood National Register Historic District – New construction. 1607 Kenwood Avenue – Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District – Addition. 1519 Alameda Drive – Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District – …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: C14H-2024-0094 HLC DATE: August 7, 2024 PC DATE: CC Date: APPLICANT: Suzanne Bryant & Sarah Goodfriend (owner-initiated) HISTORIC NAME: Brooks House WATERSHED: Shoal Creek ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 1500 W. 24th St. ZONING CHANGE: SF-3-NP to SF-3-H-NP COUNCIL DISTRICT: 10 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Grant the proposed zoning change from family residence-neighborhood plan (SF-3-NP) to family residence-neighborhood plan-historic combining district (SF-3-NP-H) zoning. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: architecture and historical associations. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: CASE MANAGER: Austin Lukes, 512-978-0766 NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District, Austin Lost and Found Pets, Austin Neighborhoods Council, Central West Austin Neighborhood Plan Contact Team, Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Homeless Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation, Pemberton Heights Neighborhood Association, Preservation Austin, SELTexas, Save Historic Muny District, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group, West Austin Neighborhood Group DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The Old West Austin National Register district nomination lists the property as noncontributing. However, this is due to the property not being 50 years old as of 2003, the year in which the district was certified. If the district were to be re-surveyed, the property would be considered as contributing for the same qualifications outlined in this document. BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: § 25-2-352(3)(c)(i) Architecture. The property embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized architectural style, type, or method of construction; exemplifies technological innovation in design or construction; displays high artistic value in representing ethnic or folk art, architecture, or construction; represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city; serves as an outstanding example of the work of an architect, builder, or artisan who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation; possesses cultural, historical, or architectural value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure; or represents an architectural curiosity or one-of-a-kind building. The Brooks House, located at 1500 W. 24th St., was constructed in 1964 in the Contemporary style, overlooking Shoal Creek. It is set back from the intersection of W. 24th St. and Pemberton Pkwy. at the corner of the property with the highest elevation to take advantage of the lot’s viewshed. With the surrounding vegetation, this largely obscures the building from the rights-of-way. The 2-story residence features a “Hawaiian” or “Dickey” double pitched roof that was considered high style at the time of construction. A curving parkway opens up to …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: C14H-2024-0098 HLC DATE: August 7, 2024 PC DATE: CC Date: APPLICANT: Mark J. Stine & Clemmie S. Cummins (owner-initiated) HISTORIC NAME: Maufrais House WATERSHED: Lady Bird Lake ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 1403 W. 10th St. ZONING CHANGE: SF-3-NP to SF-3-H-NP COUNCIL DISTRICT: 9 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the proposed zoning change from family residence-neighborhood plan (SF-3-NP) to family residence-neighborhood plan-historic (SF-3-H-NP) combining district zoning. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: architecture and historical associations. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: CASE MANAGER: Austin Lukes, 512-978-0766 NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District, Austin Lost and Found Pets, Austin Neighborhoods Council, Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Homeless Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation, Old West Austin Neighborhood Association, Old West Austin Neighborhood Plan Contact Team, Preservation Austin, SELTexas, Save Historic Muny District, Shoal Creek Conservancy, Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: § 25-2-352(3)(c)(i) Architecture. The property embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized architectural style, type, or method of construction; exemplifies technological innovation in design or construction; displays high artistic value in representing ethnic or folk art, architecture, or construction; represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city; serves as an outstanding example of the work of an architect, builder, or artisan who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation; possesses cultural, historical, or architectural value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure; or represents an architectural curiosity or one-of-a-kind building. The Maufrais House is an excellent example of the Craftsman bungalow style, featuring an ample front gable projecting over the front porch with a moderately-pitched hipped roof covering the main space of the house. Original windows and screens are present on all sides of the house, and are in good condition. A rear porch addition is located along the Maufrais Street elevation. The front porch wood rail and column details, though relatively simple in design as is common in houses of this style, remain present and are in good condition. The interior floorplan, which originally was laid out as a central hall with rooms accessed on either side, has seen only slight modification, which occurred when the porch was constructed. Overall, the condition of the property is excellent, little alteration has occurred (the majority of which was completed during the period of significance for the district), and the building …
Steering Committee Members: Christopher Hurst AIA, Chair Paula Hern, Meghan Yancy, Claudette Kazzoun, Rob Kish, Steve Amos, Germaine Curry, Margaret Sullivan, William Osborn, David Schofman, Shawn Shillington, Erika Tatum August 1, 2024 RE: 1403 W. 10th Street - Maufrais House Dear Chair Heimsath and Historic Landmark Commissioners, OWANA enthusiastically supports the re-zoning application of Maufrais House for historic designation. It is a delightful example of Bungalow architecture with a rich family legacy history. Sincerely, Christopher Hurst, AIA OWANA Steering Committee Chair
CASE NUMBER: C14H-2024-0100 HLC DATE: August 7, 2024 PC DATE: TBD CC Date: TBD ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET APPLICANT: Steve Wilson (owner-initiated) HISTORIC NAME: Splawn-Green House WATERSHED: Boggy Creek ZONING CHANGE: SF-3-NP to SF-3-NP-H COUNCIL DISTRICT: 9 ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 3311 Lafayette Avenue STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the proposed zoning change from family residence-neighborhood plan (SF-3-NP) to family residence-neighborhood plan-historic landmark (SF-3-H-NP) combining district zoning. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: architecture and historical associations. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: CASE MANAGER: Kalan Contreras, 512-974-2727 NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District, Austin Lost and Found Pets, Austin Neighborhoods Council, Cherrywood Neighborhood Assn., Del Valle Community Coalition, Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Homeless Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation, Neighbors United for Progress, Preservation Austin, SELTexas, Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group, Upper Boggy Creek Neighborhood Planning Team DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The 2020 North Loop-Hancock-Boggy Creek Historic Resource Survey lists the property as a medium priority for preservation. BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: § 25-2-352(3)(c)(i) Architecture. The property embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized architectural style, type, or method of construction; exemplifies technological innovation in design or construction; displays high artistic value in representing ethnic or folk art, architecture, or construction; represents a rare example of an architectural style in the city; serves as an outstanding example of the work of an architect, builder, or artisan who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state, or nation; possesses cultural, historical, or architectural value as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian or vernacular structure; or represents an architectural curiosity or one-of-a-kind building. The property at 3311 Lafayette Avenue is a good example of a vernacular building type showcasing the transition between more formal stylistic choices of the nineteenth century to the unique Austin interpretation of the National Folk and Craftsman bungalows of the early twentieth century. Furthermore, the house’s twin—now located on East 46th Street—has already been recognized for its architectural significance; the house at 3311 Lafayette Avenue remains markedly more intact. “Architecturally,” remarks author Steve Wilson in his home’s historic zoning application, “this house is a distinctive and well-preserved missing link in the development of the bungalow style in Austin. It’s an invaluable key to understanding how the form supplanted the traditional Victorian in the city. The home’s unique historical association with an existing landmark, the Pearce-Anderson House, furthers that understanding.”1 The historic zoning application describes the …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission August 7, 2024 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will 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 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 Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, no later than noon the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Peter Einhorn Mariana Krueger Melinda Schiera Hanna Cofer, Vice Chair AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary David Sullivan Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, Chair 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 Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 17, 2024. 1. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on the Austin-Travis County Food Plan – Angela Baucom, Food Policy Manager, Office of Sustainability Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on the Cities Connecting Children to Nature program – Melody Alcazar, Program Manager, Parks and Recreation Staff briefing on the Environmental Integrity Index: WPD’s Water Quality Monitoring Methods – Andrew Clamman, Conservation Program Manager, Watershed Protection Department Update on Environmental Commission Annual Report— Perry Bedford, Environmental Commission Chair Update from the South Central Waterfront Board on the postponement of the Combining District/Density Bonus Plan at City Council – David Sullivan Update from the Bird-Friendly Design working group on the meeting on July 23rd and plans for the next meeting – Jennifer Bristol STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS COMMITTEE UPDATES 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. …
2. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Jennifer Bristol, Hanna Cofer, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer, Melinda Schiera Commissioners Absent: Peter Einhorn, Colin Nickells PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL in a REGULAR meeting on Santiago, TxDot APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 3, 2024. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on July 3, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Einhorn and Nickells were absent. Commissioner Qureshi was off the dais. STAFF BRIEFINGS Update on Austin’s reservoirs monitoring and management efforts — Brent Bellinger, Conservation Program Supervisor, Watershed Protection Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discuss and make a recommendation regarding investments the City should fund as part of Council Resolution 20240215-025: Environmental Investment Plan, as recommended by the Joint Sustainability Committee – Commissioner Haris Qureshi Item taken with item 4. 1 4. Discuss and make a recommendation in support of adding a Climate Fee to address funding for the Environmental Investment Plan, as recommended at the Joint Sustainability Committee – Commissioners Haris Qureshi, Richard Brimer, and David Sullivan A motion in support of the Environmental Investment Plan and a climate fee was made on Commissioner Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second. An amendment to add a recommendation for a citizen advisory bond committee was made by Commissioner Cofer and seconded by Commissioner Qureshi. An amendment to keep the 2025 date in Commissioner Cofer’s amendment failed on a 1-5 vote. Commissioner Krueger voted in favor. Commissioners Schiera, Brimer, Sullivan, Bristol, and Cofer voted against. Commissioners Qureshi and Bedford abstained. Commissioners Einhorn and Nickells were absent. The amendment to add a recommendation for a Citizen Advisory Bond Committee made by Commissioner Cofer and seconded by Commissioner Qureshi passed on a 7-1 vote. Commissioner Brimer voted against. Commissioners Einhorn and Nickells were absent. The original motion with Commissioner Cofer’s amendment passed on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Einhorn and Nickells were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Krueger requested a presentation on the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, with a recommendation, seconded by Bedford. Secretary Bristol asked for …
A Food Plan for Austin-Travis County Environmental Commission August 7, 2024 Agenda ● Introductions ● What is a Food System? ● What is a Food Plan and why are we doing it? ● How did we create the Plan? ● Who participated in the Planning Process? ● Overview of Vision and Objectives ● Overview of the Goals and Strategies ● Next Steps 2 2 Some Food for Thought Food Production: Where our food comes from, including everything from farming to ranching Food Processing & Distribution: What happens to food from where it is grown to when it reaches your plate, including how food is moved and processed. Food Markets & Retails: Where food is sold, purchased, or provided cost-free. Food Consumption & Access: How we eat our food, who struggles to get enough food, and what impact our consumption has on our health. Post-Consumption & Food Waste: What happens to the parts of food we don’t eat and the impact of food waste on the environment. Food Justice: How systemic racism & colonization impact how the food system works — or doesn’t work — for each member of our community. 4 What is a Food Plan & why do we need one? ● A Food Plan sets clear Goals and Strategies to move toward a more equitable, sustainable & resilient food system ● The Food Plan builds on several other initiatives made by the County, City, and communities to tackle key food system issues. ● The Food Plan centers equity and the lived expertise of those most impacted by the current food system 5 5 Background and Authority ● In June 2021, Austin City Council directed the City Manager to initiate a planning process ● Travis County Commissioners Court approved formal participation in the plan in September 2022 ● Austin Travis County Food Plan’s Community Advisory Committee approved the Draft Food Plan in May 2024 6 6 Project Timeline Phase 0: Planning for the Plan Phase 1: Vision Development Phase 2: Goal & Strategy Development Phase 3: Review and Ground truthing September 2021 - January 2023 March - August 2023 September 2023 - February 2024 February - Summer/Fall 2024 ● ● ● ● Building Community Awareness 📰 Release of State of the Food System Report 📚 Onboarding Planning Consultant⭐ Recruitment of Community Teams🚀 ● Website launch 📶 ● World Cafes ☕ ● ● ● ● Listening Sessions & Tabling at …
DRAFT JULY 2024 2.0.2.4 AUSTIN/TRAVIS COUNTY F O O D P L A N Table of Contents Preface ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introductory Letter ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Plan Authorization ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 The Food System .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 What this Plan is and Isnʼt .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Plan Framework & Approach ............................................................................................................................................................... 8 A Plan of Plans .................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Food Plan Oversight ................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 CAC Mission Statement ...................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Values .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Sustainability & Equity Assessment Tool (SEAT) Values .................................................................................................................... 18 Food Plan Vision & Objectives ................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Parts of the Food Plan ........................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Food Plan Goals and Strategies .............................................................................................................................................................. 25 A Note on Strategies Related to Populations Who are Underserved or Historically Disadvantaged ............................................... 28 Goal 1. Land ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Goal 2. Ownership ............................................................................................................................................................................. 35 Goal 3. Livelihoods ............................................................................................................................................................................ 38 Goal 4. Preparedness ......................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Goal 5. Institutions ............................................................................................................................................................................. 47 Goal 6. Access ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Goal 7. Food Recovery ....................................................................................................................................................................... 57 Goal 8. Pro-Climate, Pro-Health ........................................................................................................................................................ 62 Goal 9. Empower ................................................................................................................................................................................ 66 Plan Implementation & Next Steps ........................................................................................................................................................ 70 Implementation Planning .................................................................................................................................................................. 71 Strategy Sequencing .......................................................................................................................................................................... 72 Implementation Network ................................................................................................................................................................... 72 Funding ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 73 Measurement & Reporting ................................................................................................................................................................. 73 Afterword ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 74 Appendices .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 76 Appendix 1: Glossary .......................................................................................................................................................................... 77 Appendix 2: Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................................ 81 Appendix 3: Sustainability & Equity Assessment Tool (SEAT) ........................................................................................................... 95 Appendix 4: Strategy Implementation Details ................................................................................................................................... 99 Appendix 5: Plan Crosswalk to Existing Efforts ................................................................................................................................ 131 Appendix 6: Companion Documents ............................................................................................................................................... 133 The photos in this plan were provided by the Office of Sustainability or were licensed from stock resources. Exceptions are noted as listed. AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD PLAN Preface 1 DRAFT (JULY 2024) AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD PLAN Introductory Letter Food connects us all. Every seed planted, garden tended, acre harvested, and plate served sparks a ripple effect, impacting the system that nourishes our community. From farmers and grocery store workers to families, chefs, and health providers, we're all part of this story. While the City of Austin and Travis County continue to grow, this food plan exists to move us toward ensuring everyone has access to the nutritious food that they need to thrive. We are working for a future where food is a fundamental human right. The instability of the food system was widely felt in February 2021 when Winter Storm Uri arrived in Austin-Travis County during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. We experienced a multitude of emergencies, including food …
DRAFT JULY 2024 20 24 SUMMARY AUSTIN/TRAVIS COUNTY F O O D P L A N A food plan provides an opportunity for local government to co-create a vision and actionable goals for the local food system alongside community members, farmers and farmworkers, food retail and service workers, students, small business owners, and other partners. 2 The Food System The food system is the interconnected network of everything that happens with food — where and how it is grown, distributed, sold, consumed, wasted, or recovered. Globally, the food system is shaped by its stakeholders, practices, and the laws that regulate both. This food plan envisions the food system as five interconnected arenas with food justice at the center:1 • Food Production: Where our food comes from, including everything from farming to ranching to backyard gardening. • Food Processing & Distribution: What happens to food from where it is grown to when it reaches your plate, including how food is moved and processed. • Food Markets & Retails: Where food is sold, purchased, or provided cost-free. • Food Consumption & Access: How we eat our food, who struggles to get enough food, and what impact our consumption has on our health. • Post-Consumption & Food Waste: What happens to the parts of food we don’t eat and the impact of food waste on the environment. • Food Justice: Seeking to ensure that the benefits and risks of where, what, and how food is grown, produced, transported, distributed, accessed, and eaten are shared fairly. It represents a transformation of the current food system, including but not limited to eliminating disparities and inequities. d F o o d Processing ction & D istribution o o F R & u d o r P P o s t - & C F o o n s u o d W a Food Justice m ption Fo o d C o ste s n & A c u c F o o d M a r k e t s e t a i l e s s m ption This plan considers our local food system to include the 5-county Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. However, the vision, objectives, goals, and strategies outlined in this plan are focused geographically on the City of Austin and Travis County. Travis County Austin 3 FOOD PLAN SUMMARY2024 Community Centered Process …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Cities Connecting Children to Nature Initiative Update August 7, 2024 Briefing on the City’s CCCN initiative Melody Alcazar, CCCN Program Manager, Park Planning Division Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) The CCCN initiative helps city leaders and their partners ensure that all children have the opportunity to play, learn and grow in nature, from urban parks and community gardens to the great outdoors City Partners City Goals + CCCN Plans/Programs that call out CCCN Other related plans • Heat Resiliency Playbook (Office of • Community Health Improvement Plan Resiliency) (Austin Public Health) • Climate & Environmental Initiatives at • Climate Equity Plan (Office of CoA (Office of Sustainability) Sustainability) • Sustainability & Resilience Program • Food Plan (Office of Sustainability) (Parks and Recreation Dept) • Urban Forest Plan (Development • Long Range Plan (Parks and Recreation Services Dept) Dept) • Green Building Program (Austin Energy) • Comprehensive Library Strategic and Facilities Plan (Austin Public Library) • Rain to River (Watershed Protection Dept) Local Partners Guiding Resources CCCN Austin: Our Evolution City adopts Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights & begins collection of nature deficient area data Four focal strategies with Outdoor Learning Environments (OLE!) Temp, Full-Time Coordinator position funded through WPD; FTE CCCN Program Coordinator position reclassified as Program Manager Critical look at integration of racial equity lens to all strategies; Integration into City-wide plans 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023-present Austin receives strategic planning & implementation grant from CCCN Focus on Green School Parks, Nature Play, Youth Leadership & FTE CCCN Program Coordinator position through PARD Five focal strategies with addition of Nature Smart Libraries Temp, Full-Time Coordinator position becomes FTE, funded through WPD + PARD; Dedicated funding for Nature Play and Joint-Use sites in City Budget CCCN Strategies NATURE SMART LIBRARIES EARLY CHILDHOOD EMERGING GREEN LEADERS GREEN SCHOOL PARKS NATURE PLAY Green School Parks Evolution PILOTS DATA COLLECTION DESIGNATION Barrington ES cistern Green School Parks: Pilots WOOLDRIDGE EX. Design plan with who does what for each feature Urban Forestry Watershed Protection Department Maintenance & Operations Transportation Parks & Recreation Partners Green School Parks: Data Collection RESEARCH ASSESSMENTS ● 2018 data collection found discrepancy in park amenities at joint use site ○ ○ 2019-2021 new amenities added 2023-present updating signage ● 2023 ESAC subcommittee formed to conduct data collection at all AISD campuses Bond sites priorities 18 complete, 5 scheduled for Aug. ○ …
Environmental Integrity Index WPD's Water Quality Monitoring Methods Environmental Commission August 7, 2024 Andrew Clamann Conservation Program Supervisor 512-974-2694 andrew.clamann@austintexas.gov 1 Biological indicators Algae Fish Invertebrates Mussels Diversity E.coli and other pathogens Trophic structure Sensitive species Emerging contaminants Pharmaceuticals PAHs PFAS Microplastics Water Quality Hydrocarbons Erosion Turbidity Sedimentation Total Suspended Solids Herbicides Glycophosate Metsulfuron-methyl Conventionals Dissolved Oxygen pH Conductivity Temperature Nutrients Ammonia Nitrogen Phosphorus Metals Arsenic Chromium Mercury Cadmium Arsenic Silver Zinc Lead Nickel Pesticides Chlordane Dieldrin Endrin BHC’s Heptachlor Methoxychlor Environmental Integrity Index (EII) 1994-2024 Six Scoring Categories • Water chemistry • Aquatic Life • Physical Integrity • Contact Recreation • Non-contact Recreation • Sediment Quarterly Water Quality • Field: pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature • Lab : Nitrate-N, Ammonia-N, TKN, Orthophosphorus, Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids Contact Recreation • E. coli bacteria Annually Aquatic Life • Benthic macroinvertebrates and Diatoms Non-Contact Recreation • Litter, odor, algae, clarity, etc Habitat • EPA visual assessment (instream & riparian) Sediment Quality • Metals, PAHs, pesticides, herbicides, etc. EII 1994-2008 EII 2008-2024 ~120 sites / 2 yrs ~50 sampled watersheds ~500 miles of creek mainstems ~120 sites / 2 yrs ~50 sampled watersheds ~500 miles of creek mainstems ~5,500 total miles of all creeks Objective retrospect Low resolution, generalized context • • Baseflow only (no stormwater component) • Observational (not statistical) • Not tied to quantifiable solutions Time for a change! Outcomes Drivers Solutions Need a model Empirical Baseflow and Stormflow data 30 years data Cluster sites by GIS similarities model everything, everywhere, all at once • • • physical chemical biological • 3,000 points • updated at will Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) GSSHA is a physics-based, distributed, hydrologic, sediment and contaminant fate and transport model that can simulate hydrologic processes in watersheds1 Details provided in QAPP EII 2.0 2 of 4 Hydraulics/Geomorphology 1(Zhang et al., 2023) ~3,000 modeled points along the stream network Points start at 320ac drainage area ~3,000ft apart along the stream network ~3,000 watersheds 9 Routine baseflow sites (remain static) 9 Stormwater sites (change ~5 years) 9 Random sites (change annually) Calibrate Validate Update Random sites Stormwater monitoring (9 sites) • • • • Continuous monitoring of flow and physicochemical (pH, conductivity, etc.) Automatic sample collection through a storm event: (nutrients, total suspended solids, etc.) Sample as many storms as necessary to calibrate the model Annual biological monitoring Routine and Random baseflow monitoring (9 sites) (9 sites) …
Environmental Integrity Index 2.0 QAPP 1 of 4 (Hydrology) Project #: 216 Project Lead: Christina Bryant Project Manager: Mateo Scoggins Introduction Environmental Integrity Index The Environmental Integrity Index (EII) is a tool that was created by the City’s Watershed Protection Department (WPD) to monitor and assess the ecological integrity and the degree of impairment of Austin watersheds (City of Austin, 2002). The goal of the EII was to produce a quantifiable method to assess the ecological integrity of Austin’s urban and non-urban streams and determine baseline conditions for targeted protective measures and restoration, thus enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Austin. The WPD Environmental Monitoring and Compliance Division (EMC) has determined the need to revise the EII by applying a new framework, based on the stream functional pyramid developed by Harman et al., (2012), to approach stream assessment and by using the enhanced Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) model to simulate hydrologic processes in watersheds. GSSHA is a physics-based, distributed, hydrologic, sediment and contaminant fate and transport model (Zhang et al., 2023). It can simulate the hydrological response of a watershed to specific hydrological and meteorological inputs. With the adoption of the stream functional pyramid approach and the simulation capability of GSSHA the Environmental Integrity Index 2.0 can be a supportive tool to analyze projects and make informed decisions in watershed management that help reduce the impact of anthropogenic influences and environmental issues and to preserve Austin’s aquatic resources. Urban Watershed Functional Pyramid The revisions to the Environmental Integrity Index (EII) program reflected in this QAPP have been largely influenced by the Stream Functions Pyramid (Figure 1) which provides a new framework for approaching stream assessment (Harman et al 2012). This tool emphasizes the critical role of foundational facets of the stream system from which all other facets are dependent. Success of the ultimate response variable (biology) is limited by all other underlying layers. Therefore, if the ultimate goal of a monitoring program is to facilitate/inform preservation or restoration of ecological integrity, then a bottom-up perspective must be used. Figure 1. Stream Functions Pyramid (Harman et al. 2012). A framework for approaching stream assessment. Applied Watershed Research staff have modified the functional pyramid to apply more directly to the urban environment and to watersheds as a unit instead of streams. The most basic difference is that Hydraulics and Geomorphology have been integrated into one layer. Figure …
