87TH STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Intergovernmental Relations Office – Brie L. Franco, Officer TEXAS LEGISLATURE INCREASINGLY FOCUSED ON CITIES Total Bills Introduced Total Bills Passed City-Related bills introduced City-Related bills passed Year 76th-1999 77th-2001 78th-2003 79th-2005 80th-2007 81st-2009 82nd-2011 83rd-2013 84th-2015 85th – 2017 5,813 5,612 5,633 5,512 6,241 7,464 5,938 5,950 6,476 6,800 1,622 1,601 1,384 1,389 1,481 1,459 1,379 1,437 1,329 1,208 1,230+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,500+ 1,500+ 1,900+ 1,900+ 2,500+ 86th – 2019 7,324 1,429 2,300+ 130+ 150+ 110+ 105+ 120+ 120+ 160+ 220+ 220+ 294 338 • 54 % more City- related bills were passed between 2015 and 2019 • 182 % more City – related bills were passed between 2009 and 2019 10/22/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 2 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: IGRO ROLE In the 86th session • 3,970 Bills/JR’s were filed in last 10 business days before filing deadline, March 8th. (54%). • 7,324 bills read and analyzed by IGRO. • Over 2,500 bills were determined by IGRO to affect cities. • 1,296 Bills/JR’s required analysis/action by departments and IGRO. 10/22/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 3 TREND: ANTI-CITY TONE: GOVERNOR ABBOTT "As opposed to the state having to take multiple rifle- shot approaches at overriding local regulations, I think a broad-based law by the state of Texas that says across the board, the state is going to pre-empt local regulations, is a superior approach“ * – Governor Greg Abbott, March 21, 2017 *Source: “Abbott wants "broad-based law" that pre-empts local regulations” Texas Tribune, March 21, 2017 Governor Greg Abbott in 2017 10/22/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 4 TREND: ANTI-CITY LEGISLATION: POST 85TH SPECIAL SESSION "Our cities are still controlled by Democrats…And where do we have all our problems in America? Not at the state level run by Republicans, but in our cities that are mostly controlled by Democrat mayors and Democrat city council men and women. That's where you see liberal policies. That's where you see high taxes. That's where you see street crime." * -Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, 2017 *Source: “Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames city governments for "all our problems in America" Texas Tribune, AUG. 4, 2017 10/22/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 5 Lt Governor Dan Patrick in 2016. Photo by Gage Skidmore. TREND: ANTI-CITY TONE: POST 86TH SESSION “Any mayor, county judge that was dumb ass enough to come meet with me, I told them with great clarity, my goal is for this to be the …
Pease District Park Request Approval for Dedication and Onsite Recognition Parks and Recreation Board Christine Chute Canul, Development Administrator Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin October 27, 2020 Pease District Park – Pease Park Conservancy Basketball Court A new, full-size high school regulation basketball court will sit next to the Great Lawn, surrounded by planting shade and seating. The court will have night lighting and will be separated by seating and landscaping from the younger children’s play areas. Entry Wall The limestone block entry wall will serve as the initial greeting of all visitors to the park. The park name is carved into large limestone blocks that sit directly in front of the Great Lawn. The wall is surrounded by native planting and is lit at night. 2 Pease District Park – Location of Amenities 3 Pease District Park – Basketball Court 4 Pease District Park – Entry Wall 5 Pease District Park – The Numbers 6 Request for Dedication A group of more than 50 donors, led by the late Pat Lochridge’s close friend Peter Pincoffs, has donated in excess $200,000 toward operations and maintenance costs associated with the Basketball Court. This donation equals 50 years of maintenance. Through the DeAngelis Family Foundation, Ken and Lorrie DeAngelis have contributed $100,000 toward operations and maintenance costs associated with the Entry Wall. This donation equals 200 years of maintenance. These gifts were made as part of Pease Park Conservancy’s Kingsbury Commons Campaign. The dedication would be reflected on a tasteful and discrete plaque placed on or near the feature that will be submitted to the PARD Director for final approval prior to fabrication. 7 Request for Dedication The Basketball Court/ Patton “Pat” Lochridge (1949-2017) Pat's family moved from the Rio Grande Valley to Austin, in 1959, which was his home for the rest of his life. Pat attended Princeton University, finished his undergraduate career in Plan II at the University of Texas, and attended the University of Texas Law School. After graduating from UT Law with high honors, Pat served as a law clerk to Judge Joseph T. Sneed of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Pat then joined the law firm of McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP, in Austin. Pat was recognized many times for his skills and accomplishments as a trial lawyer. He was a fellow of the American College …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 2021 MEETING SCHEDULE (4th Tuesday of each month, except July, November and December, 6:00 p.m.) January 26, 2021 February 23, 2021 March 23, 2021 April 27, 2021 May 25, 2021 June 22,2021 August 24, 2021 September 28, 2021 October 26, 2021 November 30, 2021
Special Meeting of the Planning Commission October 27, 2020 Planning Commission to be held October 27, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers, including applicants and representatives, must register in advance (Day before the scheduled meeting, October 26, 2020 by noon). To speak remotely at the October 27, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting, residents must: Preferably email the board liaison at andrew.rivera@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-6508 the day before the meeting. The following information is required: 1. The speaker name. 2. Item number(s) they wish to speak on. 3. Whether they are for/against/neutral. 4. Mailing address. 5. Telephone number. Must be the number that will be used to call-in. Failure to provide the required information by noon October 26, 2020 shall render a request null and void. A registered speaker may not sign up another speaker. Previous registration on an item does not automatically roll over. •Once a request to register to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call with additional information regarding the call in process. •Handouts or other information must be emailed to andrew.rivera@austintexas.gov by 1:00 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2020. This information will be provided to Commission members in advance of the meeting. •Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Postponement requests must be submitted to the case manager and Andrew Rivera by 5PM Monday, October 26 2020 Reunión de la Comisión de Planificación Fecha 27de Octubre de 2020 La Comisión de Planificación se reunirá el 27 de Octubre de 2020 con modificaciones de distanciamiento social. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512-974-6508 andrew.rivera@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunion, 26 de Octubre de 2020). 1. El nombre del orador. 2. Número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar. 3. Si están a favor / en contra / neutrales. 4. Dirección postal. 5. Número de teléfono. Debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar a la persona que desea hablar. Si la información solicitada no se envía antes del mediodía del 26 de Octubre de 2020, la solicitud será nula y sin efecto. Un orador registrado no puede registrar a otro orador. El registro anterior de un …
Mechanical and Plumbing Board October 27, 2020 Mechanical and Plumbing Board to be held October 27, 2020 at 10:00 AM with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (October 26, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Mechanical and Plumbing Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-550-5836 or at rick.arzola@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to rick.arzola@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live con deben registrarse Reunión del Tablero mecánico y de plomería FECHA de la reunion 27 de octubre de 2020 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los anticipación oradores 26 de octubre de 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Rick. Arzola; 512-550-5836; rick.arzola@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, …
Recommendation for Resource Management Commission Commission Meeting Date: Council Meeting Date: Department: November 17, 2020 December 10, 2020 Austin Water SUBJECT Approve amendments to city ordinances contained in Chapter 6-4 Water Conservation and 15-9-24 Utility Regulations to: assess administrative penalties for failure to submit cooling tower water efficiency registration and inspection reports required by 1126.1 of the city’s Mechanical Code; add efficiency performance standards for cooling tower drift eliminators; require the use of biocides in cooling tower recirculating water to increase water efficiency and protect public health by preventing airborne bacteria; and make ineligible for the evaporative loss credit on wastewater charges towers for which registration and inspection reports are not submitted. AMOUNT AND SOURCE OF FUNDING There is no unanticipated financial impact. The program would be administered under current funding and staffing. N/A N/A Purchasing Language: Prior Council Action: For More Information: Boards and Commission Action: MBE/WBE: Kevin Crittendon, 512-972-0191; Mark Jordan, 512-974-3901; Denise Avery, 512-972-0104 November 17, 2020 - To be reviewed and Resource Management Commission November 18, 2020 – To be reviewed by Water and Wastewater Commission N/A The 2018 Austin Integrated Water Resources Plan – Water Forward – recommended the adoption of ordinances that would increase water use efficiency by the commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) water use sectors, specifically including cooling towers. The proposed ordinances would amend Chapter 6-4 Water Conservation by imposing administrative penalties of up to $500 for failure to submit required cooling tower registration and annual inspection reports to ensure towers are meeting all water efficiency standards and equipment requirements. Assessment of administrative penalties for this program would be consistent with the current assessment of penalties under the Commercial Irrigation System Evaluation and Commercial Car Wash Certification programs. The proposed ordinances would also amend the inspection report to include whether the tower is meeting additional water efficiency standards for drift eliminators and the addition of biocides to cooling tower recirculating water to prevent algae growth, thereby increasing water efficiency as well as protecting public health by preventing airborne bacteria. These measures are consistent with 1126.1 and E 403.5.2, respectively, of the 2015 Uniform Mechanical Code, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAMPO), and Standard 189.1, International Green Construction Code, of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Finally, the proposed CII ordinances would amend 15-9-24 Utility Regulations by providing that those who do not submit required registration …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Tuesday, October 27, 2020 5:30pm Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission to be held October 27 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (October 26 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the October 27th Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9107 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. Reunión del Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission FECHA de la reunion (Tuesday, October 27, 2020 5:30pm) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (October 26 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Amanda Jasso, 512-974-9107, Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace …
LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Community Interest Announcement Austin LGBTQIA+ Research Advisory Meeting for the LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study October 27, 2020 5:30PM to 7:00PM business will occur. https://healthmanagement.zoom.us/j/96467316221?pwd=WEh6NW56YjFZbnkwYXdkbXZ3ai90UT09 A quorum of Commission members may be present. No action will be taken, and no Commission
ATTACHMENT 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 BYLAWS OF THE Parks and Recreation Board ARTICLE 1. NAME. The name of the board is Parks & Recreation Board ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE AND DUTIES. The purpose of the board is to advise the city council and the city manager regarding: 1. the acquisition, development, improvement, equipment, programming, and maintenance of all land and facilities managed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Austin; 2. the purchase of additional land to be managed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. The board shall outline a general plan of development for land, facilities, and programs. The board may submit the plan to the Planning Commission and the City Manager for detail development, and the City Manager may then submit the plan to the City Council for approval as may be required by Code. The board shall promote close cooperation between the City and all private citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting recreational activities, so that all recreational resources within the City may be coordinated to secure the greatest general public welfare. The board shall perform other duties as prescribed by the City Code or as directed by the City Council. ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP. (A) The board is composed of eleven members appointed by the city council. (B) A member serves at the pleasure of the city council. (C) Board members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1st on the year of appointment. (D) An individual board member may not act in an official capacity except through the action of the board. (E) A board member who is absent for three consecutive regular meetings or one-third of all regular meetings in a "rolling" twelve month timeframe automatically vacates the member's position subject to the holdover provisions in Section 2-1-27 of the City Code. This does not apply to an absence due to illness or injury of the board member, an illness or injury of a board member ' s ATTACHMENT 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 …
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RELATED TO AMENDING ITS BYLAWS TO TERMINATE THE LAND, FACILITIES AND PROGRAM COMMITTEE AND ESTABLISH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WHEREAS, Article 8 of the Bylaws of the Parks and Recreation Board (PARB) mandate creation and composition of the Contracts and Concessions Committee and the Land, Facilities and Program Committee of the PARB (LFP Committee); and WHEREAS, the PARB has considered the value of the LFP Committee based on the LFP Committee’s meeting history, the subjects reviewed by the LFP Committee, and the need for the full board to review and debate subjects already reviewed and recommended by the LFP Committee; and WHEREAS, based on its review of the value of the LFP Committee, the PARB has determined that the PARB Board and PARD staff time could be better utilized than in continuing the LFP Committee and the LFP Committee should be terminated; and WHEREAS, based on its review of the matters considered by the full PARB, the PARB has determined that it would benefit from the education and development of a depth of knowledge of PARD financial matters by a permanent standing committee of PARB members; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic, changes to state law regarding property taxes, and other circumstances may cause financial impacts to PARD and PARB considers these circumstances to further justify the need for a permanent standing committee that can assist PARD in determining how to best manage financial matters; and WHEREAS the PARB would like a Financial Committee to be established as a permanent committee; and WHEREAS, the PARB intends that this Financial Committee shall consist of members that serve in an advisory committee to the full board on issues of budget, fees, revenue, funding and other financial matters of the Parks and Recreation Department; and WHEREAS, the PARB intends that once established, the Financial Committee would set an annual agenda for itself each year outlining the financial items meriting consideration, including the PARD proposed budget prior to presentation and consideration of the budget by the PARB, a review of fees charged by PARD, and research, review and recommendation of funding mechanisms for the acquisition and development of parkland and operations and management of Parks and Recreation facilities and programs; and THEREFORE, the PARB recommends to the Council Audit and Finance Committee to consider and approve the bylaw amendment attached as Attachment 1 to this …
Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee PARB Bylaws Article 8 – Standing Committees Bylaws mandate the Contracts and Concessions Committee and Land, Facilities and Program Committee. Charge of LFP Committee to “serve in an advisory capacity on issues of development and programs of the public parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities, and the general welfare of the parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities.” May 27, 2020 PARB discussed continuation or termination of Land, Facilities and Program Committee. PARB could create a Financial Committee to replace Land, Facilities and Program Committee. 2 Reasoning for and Operation of Financial Committee Challenges to funding Parks and Recreation goals are increasing. State law changes to City’s control over property tax rate changes; COVID-19 related closures of fee generating activities; additional expenses; potential loss of parkland dedication through LDC. PARB would benefit from small group of members developing more in-depth knowledge on budget issues and additional PARD funding opportunities. Committee members could provide meaningful input on budget and funding to PARD staff, and to be more effective advocates for PARD funding. Financial Committee would set an annual agenda for itself each year outlining the financial items meriting consideration, including an annual review of fees charged by PARD, proposals for generating funds to be used for parks and parks acquisition, and at least two meetings reserved each year for reviewing the PARD proposed budget prior to presentation and consideration of the budget by the PARB. 3 Next Steps Board discussion on creation of Financial Committee as advisory committee to PARB on issues of budget, fees, revenue, funding and other financial matters. Recommend PARB bylaw amendment at October PARB meeting. Forward bylaw amendment to City Clerk. City Council Audit & Finance Committee reviews and approves or denies at November meeting. 4
Planning Commission: October 27, 2020 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET DATE FILED: July 2, 2020 (In-Cycle) NEIGHORHOOD PLAN: Chestnut CASE#: NPA-2020-0003.01 PROJECT NAME: 1804 Ulit Avenue PC DATE: October 27, 2020 ADDRESS: 1804 Ulit Avenue DISTRICT AREA: 1 SITE AREA: 0.1309 acres (5,702 sq. ft.) OWNER/APPLICANT: Four Caddy, LLC (Stephen DiMarco) AGENT: Drenner Group, PC (Amanda Swor) CASE MANAGER: Maureen Meredith, Housing & Planning Dept. PHONE: STAFF EMAIL: Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov TYPE OF AMENDMENT: Change in Future Land Use Designation (512) 974-2695 From: Civic Base District Zoning Change To: Office Related Zoning Case: C14-2020-0074 From: P-NP To: NO-CO-NP NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ADOPTION DATE: PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: October 27, 2020 – (Pending) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To grant the applicant’s request for Office land use. December 6, 2000 Planning Commission: October 27, 2020 BASIS FOR STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION: Staff supports the applicant’s request for Office land use because we recognize the need for adaptive reuse of church buildings that are located within residential areas. The property is approximately 260 feet south of E. MLK Jr. Blvd and on the edge of the MLK Station Area TOD. A low-intensity office use in this location in a building that was once a church is an appropriate use. The Chestnut Neighborhood Plan supports compatible infill development and the revitalization of the historic character of the neighborhood. 2 LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS EXISTING LAND USE ON THE PROPERTY Civic - Any site for public or semi fire facilities, hospitals, and public and private schools. Includes major religious facilities and other religious activities that are of a different type and scale than surrounding uses. Purpose 1. Allow flexibility in development for major, multi the greater community; public facilities, including governmental offices, police, functional institutional uses that serve ‐ ‐ Planning Commission: October 27, 2020 2. Manage the expansion of major institutional uses to prevent unnecessary impacts on established neighborhood areas; 3. Preserve the availability of sites for civic facilities to ensure that facilities are adequate for population growth; 4. Promote Civic uses that are accessible and useable for the neighborhood resident and maintain stability of types of public uses in the neighborhood; 5. May include housing facilities that are accessory to a civic use, such as student dormitories; and 6. Recognize suitable areas for public uses, such as hospitals and schools, that will minimize the impacts to residential areas. Application 1. Any school, whether public or private; 2. Any campus major government administration …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S REPORT DATE: October 2020 PLANNING UPDATES: Walter E Long and John Trevino Jr. Metro Parks: On October 15, the City Council unanimously approved the park vision plans for the two Metropolitan Parks in Northeast Austin. For further information on the vision plans, please visit for the Walter E Long Metro Park Vision Plan and for the John Trevino Jr. Metro Park Vision Plan. District 1 Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park Vision Plan: The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is working with a local landscape architecture firm, RVi, on the development of the vision plan for the park. The plan will provide recommendations for enhancement of the existing facilities and development of new facilities to meet recreational needs through a well-planned and documented community engagement process. The first meetings will be held in late fall of 2020, with a final Vision Plan, including design and phasing recommendations, presented to Boards and Commissions for approval in the summer/fall of 2021. For more information, please visit the project’s webpage. District 7 George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center Facility Expansion Plan: On October 3, PARD and the consultant team, Smith & Company with Perkins & Will, hosted the second virtual community meeting to discuss the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogical Center Facility Expansion Plan. Community members were presented with three concepts for the expansion and discussed each option. The meeting presentation and video are available on the project’s webpage; the planning team invited those who were unable to attend to provide feedback on the concepts via SpeakUp Austin through October 20. The team intends to use the cumulative input to refine a single concept to present to the community at the final community-wide meeting, scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 1:00pm. PARD and the consultant team will continue to engage with the project's Technical Advisory Committee and the African American Resource Advisory Commission throughout the planning phase. Visit the project's webpage and the SpeakUp Austin webpage. District 1 Central Williamson Creek Greenway Vision Plan: This community-activated planning process continues in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Community Powered Workshop and their selected consultant, Asakura Robinson. PARD and the Watershed Protection Department maintain involvement through a working group of City staff members including the National Park Service; the project also has a working group of community members. The team held the second round of virtual …
2021 UMC Update: 1. Our directive was to eliminate as much amendments as possible and go back to publish code. This required that we separate the process into two different phases. 2. Change being proposed that may be of concern. The first phase consisted of making comparisons with the 2015 UMC published code and the 2015 UMC amendments. This phase has been completed with better than 50% of the language going back to publish code. The second phase is making comparison with the 2015 UMC amendments and the 2021 UMC, the second phase of the UMC ordinance is into its second meeting with all departments involved. The cloth dryer section being deleted from the UPC and using section 504 from the IMC. For plan review and inspections this issue is a common problem and staff is attempting to work on a new approach to better help all involved. The biggest concern is with domestic cloth dryers although the entire section is being adopted to help with eliminating confusion. The 2015 amendments already had 3 section from the IMC and table 504.4.2.1.1. Section 504 basically covers four areas. a) General requirements for cloth dryers b) Domestic cloth dryers c) Commercial cloth dryers d) Common exhaust for cloth dryers We are working on bring the 2021 UMC to the stakeholders sometime in February, soon after to the Board. The adoption of the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code is on schedule to be adopted sometime in November 2021 although the plan is to adopt all the codes at one time which could delay the 21 UMC code adoption. I will gladly discuss the overview of the adoption although as a professional courtesy the details of individual sections will be left to Charlie Ablanedo. SECTION 504 CLOTHES DRYER EXHAUST (IMC) 504.1 Installation. Clothes dryers shall be exhausted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall convey the moisture and any products of combustion to the outside of the building. Exception: This section shall not apply to listed and labeled condensing (ductless) clothes dryers. 504.2 Exhaust penetrations. Where a clothes dryer exhaust duct penetrates a wall or ceiling membrane, the annular space shall be sealed with noncombustible material, approved fire caulking or a noncombustible dryer exhaust duct wall receptacle. Ducts that exhaust clothes dryers shall not penetrate or be located within any …
UPC AMENDMENTS UPC SECTIONS Indicates deleted from publish code 422.1 Fixture Count 422.1.1 Family or Assisted-Use Toilet and Bathing Facilities. Table 422.1 422.2 Separate Facilities. 422.2.1 Single Use Toilet Facilities (pertains to signage contradicts 2902.2.1) 422.2.2 Family or Assisted-Use Toilet Facilities. 422.3 Fixture Requirements for Special Occupancies. 422.4 Toilet Facilities Serving Employees and Customers 422.4.1 Access to Toilet Facilities. IBC SECTIONS Indicates deleted from publish code 2902.1 Minimum number of fixtures. 2902.1.1 Fixture calculations 2902.1.2 Family or assisted-use toilet and bath fixtures. Table 2902.1 2902.2 Separate facilities 2902.2.1 Family or assisted-use toilet facilities serving as separate facilities 2902.3 Employee and public toilet facilities 2902.3.1 Access 2902.3.2 Location of toilet facilities in occupancies other than malls 422.5 Toilet Facilities for Workers 2902.3.3 Location of toilet facilities in malls 2902.3.4 Pay facilities 2902.3.5 Door locking. 2902.3.6 Prohibited toilet room location 2902.4 Signage 2902.4.1 Directional signage 2902.5 Drinking fountain location 2902.6 Small occupancies 422.2 Separate Facilities. 422.2.1 Family or assisted-use toilet facilities serving as separate facilities 422.2 Required public toilet facilities 422.4.1 Access 422.4.3 Location in a shopping mall or center. This section is a combination of section 2902.3.2 and 2902.3.3 in the IBC, Also created a new use “Center” that isn’t in the building code. 422.4.2 Toilet room location 422.4.4 Access to toilet facilities. This section is a combination of 2902.3.1 and 2902.3.2 from the IBC. Also created language that is exclusive to the UPC. 422.4.1 A toilet facility that may be accessed only from a private office may not be counted to determine compliance with this section.
This language is in the draft form, and is subject to change, it is not required to bring rules adoption to a Board although as a courtesy I would provide updates before adopting, the rules process does allow for public input. 5.6.2 - GAS PLUMBING SYSTEMS TEST REQUIREMENTS 5.6.2.1 Gas pressure test required. 5.6.2.2 Plumbing gas rough inspection 5.6.2.3 Final gas inspection. 5.6.2.4 Emergency pulled gas meter. 5.6.2.4.1 Scheduling inspection for emergency pulled gas meter 5.6.2.5 Building sewer test 5.6.2.6 Manhole test. 5.6.2.7 Testing procedures for drain, waste, and vent piping. 5.6.2.8 Trench drains 5.6.2.9 Methods of testing storm drainage systems. 5.6.2.10 Test procedures for material other than polyvinyl chloride (PVC) drainage piping. 5.6.2.11 Testing procedures for plastic roof drainage piping. 5.6.2.12 Testing requirements for non-human use medical gas and vacuum systems. 5.6.2.1 Gas pressure test required. A. A natural gas pressure test shall be required as described in sections 5.6.2.2 through 5.6.2.4 the Plumbing Code under the following circumstances: 1. Gas plumbing work has been performed; or 2. There is evidence of a gas leak; or 3. A building is declared substandard and gas service has been disconnected for more than 30 days; or 4. A building is declared dangerous; or 5. Any condition stipulated by the natural gas supplier. B. The City shall not approve natural gas service to a building which has not complied with this rule. 5.6.2.2 Plumbing gas rough inspection. A rough inspection is required after all piping authorized by the permit is installed, but before any portions of the piping are covered or concealed, and before any fixture, appliance, or shutoff valve is attached to the pipe. A. Low Pressure Gas Test. This inspection must include an air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen pressure test. Test pressure must be at least 15 pounds per square inch gauge pressure and held at least 15 minutes with no perceptible drop in pressure. The Building Official may extend the test time. A Bourbon tube (“spring") gauge may be utilized. See “Test Gauge” requirements in the plumbing code. B. Medium Pressure Gas Test. For welded piping and piping that carries gas at pressures that exceed 14 inches water column pressure, the test pressure must be at least 60 pounds per square inch and must be continued for at least 30 minutes with no perceptible drop in pressure. The Building Official may extend the test time. The test may be …
2021 UPC Update: 1. Our directive was to eliminate as much amendments as possible and go back to publish code. This required that we separate the process into two different phases. 2. 1st change being proposed that may be of concern. The first phase consisted of making comparisons with the 2015 UPC published code and the 2015 UPC amendments. This phase has been completed with better than 50% of the language going back to publish code. The second phase is making comparison with the 2015 UPC amendments and the 2021 UPC, with this process the individual departments are doing a detailed review and plan on meeting about mid-December 2020 for a comparison amongst all departments involved. Chapter 422 which includes table 422.1 to be deleted from the UPC and leaving the IBC to address the building design requirements. a) Table 422.1 was deleted in the 2015 amendments from the UPC and the table from the IBC was inserted into the UPC amendments. b) This would consolidate all the building design requirements to one area. c) The logic is that if a plumber is designing he is already using the building code. d) The local amendments will direct the designer to the UBC in section 422 of the 2021 plumbing ordinance. e) A table (exhibit A) has been provided for comparison of the sections showing the deleted and active code sections and locations. 3. 2nd change being proposed. All of the testing procedures to be relocated in the Building Criteria Manual. ( see exhibit B) This would consolidate all the testing procedures to one section. The testing requirements are exactly as published in the 2015 amendments with some minor exception such as deleting specific code references, to eliminate changes when new codes are adopted. A new section pertaining to scheduling pulled gas meter inspections has been added. The scheduling of pulled gas meters has existed since at least 2004 as a memorandum the goal is to have published in the Building criteria Manual. We are working on bring the plumbing code to the stakeholders sometime in February soon after the Board. The adoption of the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code is on schedule to be adopted sometime in November 2021 although the plan is to bring all the codes at one time which could delay the plumbing code adoption. I will gladly discuss the overview of …
Photo: River Place Trail Dated: Saturday, February 16, 2019 Strategic Partnership Agreements A tool to protect access to public lands and ensuring fairness A Presentation by Rich DePalma October 27, 2020 1 The Issue The City of Austin has Strategic Partnership Agreements with Limited Districts in the City of Austin but not all were created equal. The agreements were negotiated between the City of Austin and the Limited District Board of Directors and access to public spaces was not always protected. 2 Example – River Place Limited District 2019 to 2020 Trail Fees 3 $10 fee per person — ages 13 years old and up — and per pet to access the nature trail for those individuals living outside of the District’s borders. District residents, who pay District taxes, can access the site at no charge if they present a Resident Card. Non-District residents living in River Place have the option to purchase a $400 annual trail pass. The trail is free to all users from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mon.-Fri., excluding holidays. 4 Photo: River Place Trail Dated: Saturday, February 16, 2019 5 Photo: River Place Trail Photo: River Place Trail Dated: Saturday, February 16, 2019 Dated: February 26, 2019 6 Photo: River Place Trail Dated: Saturday, February 16, 2019 7 The Outcome 8 9 August 13, 2020 A Portion of the Communication by the District to the TPWD September 11, 2020 Article 10 Still advertising $10 fee for trail as of 10/23/2020 11 Our Charge 12 Limited Districts Can Charge Fees https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/wa/htm/wa.49.htm 13 Considering Fees https://www.tml.org/DocumentCenter/View/68/Texas-Municipal-League-Revenue-Manual-for-Texas-Cities-PDF 14 Portion of the August 6, 2019 Response from the River Place Limited District’s Counsel Comparison of Fees Example – Trail Fees Emma Long $5 a car m-th; $10 a car F-Sun; vehicle up to 8; $1per walk/bike Grand Canyon National Park Individual Permit $20/person. Admits one individual when entering by foot, bicycle, park shuttle bus, Grand Canyon Railway and private rafting trip. Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge. 15 How do we fix this issue at the City of Austin? We codify basic requirements in a City of Austin Strategic Partnership Agreement. We already have the language that should be included because we require it from other Limited Districts. 16 https://amld.org/history-of-anderson-mill-limited-district 17 Tanglewood Forest Limited District Original SPA 1997; renewed 2007 and 2017 Same authorities and responsibilities but 18 Tanglewood Forest Limited District Original SPA 1997; renewed …
South Central Coalition ( ANC sector 7) Resolution Concerning: Proposed Planned Unit development (PUD) amendment for 305 South Congress (Austin American Statesman site) by the Endeavor Real Estate Group and the Atlanta based Cox family. Whereas: The construction of the Austin Hyatt Hotel in the early 1980’s on the south shore of then Town Lake resulted in city wide concerns about the scale and location of new buildings that could negatively encroach on the scenic vistas and open space along the Colorado River corridor, and Whereas: The Austin City Council established The Town Lake Task Force that recommended the 1985 Town Lake Corridor Study adopted by the City Council on October 24, 1985, calling for zoning changes that “ Improved zoning in the Town Lake Corrridor …” and Whereas: This recommendation adopted by the City Council on July 17, 1986, resulted in the City of Austin's “Waterfront Overlay Combining District” ( WO) that clearly defined the site development standards for all properties along the river corridor and Whereas: The purpose of the WO zoning change was to “provide a more harmonious interaction and transition between urban development and the parkland and shoreline of Town Lake and the Colorado River.” The site development standards for new construction called for stepping back from the water’s edge and for building to step down so as to respect the scenic vistas around the lake front. Whereas: The WO called out the base zoning (maximum heights and primary and secondary setbacks) to achieve the protection of the scenic vistas and open space that was recognized as the most important community asset. However the WO also included the recognition of other community goals that could possibly be achieved with density bonus provisions to allow for more development if these additional community benefits ( more open space, affordable housing, community access to parkland, etc) are provided but also included absolute maximum heights and minimum allowable setbacks for the shore line, and Whereas: The City Council authorized the creation of the ‘Town Lake Park” Comprehensive plan in 1987 that stated that “ Building massing should demur to open spaces, avoiding clashes of scale.” Whereas: The 1999 “plain English and non-substantive” rewrite of Austin Land Development Code resulted in the removal of the density bonus provisions and the absolute height limits. Due to this error the City Council subsequently appointed the “Waterfront Overlay Task Force” which recommended that the …
