PARKLAND EVENTS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20160809-E3: Special event policies related to process, scheduling, coordination, enforcement, and impacts. The Parkland Events Task Force recommends the City Council fund an economic impact study of all special events conducted on parkland and City of Austin property.. Date of Approval: _____August 9, 2016______ Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 9-0 vote Attest: City Staff Liaison to Task Force
PARKLAND EVENTS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20160809-E5: Discussion of green event policies. The Parkland Events Task Force recommends the City Council fund the Austin Parks and Recreation Department to national standard levels. Date of Approval: _____August 9, 2016______ Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 9-0 vote. Attest: City Staff Liaison to Task Force
PARKLAND EVENTS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20160809-E5: Discussion of green event policies. The Parkland Events Task Force recommends the City implement a mandatory certification and training program for event organizers and contractors including tree protection, access and use of park grounds. The program should be evaluated for expansion to include the citywide permit process, permit requirements and conducting event business in the City of Austin. Date of Approval: _____August 9, 2016______ Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 9-0 vote. Attest: City Staff Liaison to Task Force
PARKLAND EVENTS TASK FORCE August 2, 2016, 4 pm – 7 pm Zilker Botanical Garden Meeting Room 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 TASK FORCE MEMBERSColin Wallis, Mayor Adler Kannou Curette, District 1 Alykhan Mohamed, District 2 Vacant, District 3 Debbie Stanley, District 4 David King, District 5 Stacy Farrugia, District 6 Patrick Brewer, District 7 Michael Joyce, District 8 Ingrid Weigand, District 9 Carol Lee, District 10 Bobby Garza, Open Space, Environment, and Sustainability Committee James Russell, Open Space, Environment, and Sustainability Committee Jeff Smith, Open Space, Environment, and Sustainability Committee Pam Thompson, Environmental Board Rick Cofer, Parks and Recreation Board Buddy Quaid, Austin Music Commission AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1) Approve Minutes from July 19, 2016 meeting. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 1) 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. D. NEW BUSINESS: BRIEFING, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION E. OLD BUSINESS: BRIEFING, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION 1) Special event policies related to event day or use limits, process, scheduling, and coordination. 2) Special event policies related to process, scheduling, coordination, enforcement, and impacts. 3) Impacts and impact reduction measures, policies, or practices of special events regarding impact mitigation on surrounding neighborhoods, areas and businesses. 4) Discussion of Green Event policies. 5) Briefing by the Waller Creek Conservancy on Waterloo Park status. 6) Status of task force member requests from previous meetings and upcoming meeting schedule. F. NEW BUSINESS: FUTURE ITEMS FROM TASK FORCE MEMBERS OR CITY STAFF Future agenda items will NOT be discussed at the current meeting, but will be offered for possible briefing, discussion, and action at a FUTURE meeting. G. ADJOURNMENT The task force may take up items in any order, and may take action on any item except citizen’s communication. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Jason Maurer, with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, at 512‐974‐2427, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Parkland Events …
PARKLAND EVENTS TASK FORCE August 2, 2016, 4 pm – 7 pm Zilker Botanical Garden Meeting Room 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 TASK FORCE MEMBERS PRESENT David King, District 5 Michael Joyce, District 8 Ingrid Weigand, District 9 Carol Lee, District 10 Bobby Garza, Open Space, Environment, and Sustainability Committee James Russell, Open Space, Environment, and Sustainability Committee Jeff Smith, Open Space, Environment, and Sustainability Committee Pam Thompson, Environmental Board Rick Cofer, Parks and Recreation Board Buddy Quaid, Austin Music Commission TASK FORCE MEMBERS ABSENT Colin Wallis, Mayor Adler Kannou Curette, District 1 Alykhan Mohamed, District 2 Debbie Stanley, District 4 Patrick Brewer, District 7 Stacy Farrugia, District 6 MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER‐ Meeting called to order by David King @5:25 pm. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1) Motion to Approve Minutes from July 19, 2016 meeting by Jeff Smith and Seconded by James Russell. Motion passed with 8 members voting AYE 0 voted No and 1 member abstained. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION‐ No Citizen Communication D. OLD BUSINESS: BRIEFING, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION 1) Special event policies related to event day or use limits, process, scheduling, and coordination. Motion by Jeff Smith to create a recommendations committee to review, evaluate and recommend policy action items to the task force Seconded by James Russell 8 members voted Aye 1 voted No‐ MJ motion passed. Subcommittee meetings shall be conducted concurrently with posted task force meetings. The subcommittee shall be comprised of James Russell, Carol Lee, Jeff Smith, Bobby Garza, David King, and Pam Thompson. 2) Special event policies related to process, scheduling, coordination, enforcement, and impacts. Discussion of Forestry’s role at special events information presented by Keith Mars and Lara Schuman. Forestry staff to take Patrick Brewer’s recommendations and review against existing guideline document. Forestry to report back at the 8/9 meeting, No Formal Action Taken. 3) Impacts and impact reduction measures, policies, or practices of special events regarding impact mitigation on surrounding neighborhoods, areas and businesses. No Formal Action Taken. 4) **Discussion of Green Event policies, Presentation by Brandi Burton , Rick Cofer proposed to work Brandi to come up with some guidelines to bring forward as potential recommendations. 5) **Briefing by the Waller Creek Conservancy on Waterloo Park status presented by Peter Mullan C.E.O. 6) Status of task force member requests from previous meetings and upcoming meeting schedule. Conduct Doodle Poll to get a consensus on the …
DRAFT Required elements of special events with expected attendance of 500 attendees or more that use either gasoline- or diesel-powered generators, vehicles including carts for loading/unloading and/or other engines such as hand-held equipment including leaf blowers used directly by the event or by a contractor in support of the event permit holder. 1) A vehicle and equipment inventory to be submitted to the COA Office of Special Events after the completion of the set up to include the following: A) A list of the generators by model year/horsepower, vehicles by model year/horsepower and other equipment model year/horsepower or engine size in cc's that are on-site during the special event. A list of chemicals kept on site to include but not limited to ones that contain bleach, ammonia, turpentine or other toxic compounds. 2) A final or amended inventory of vehicles and equipment after the special event occurs, if different from the original list to include the following: A) A list of the generators by model year/horsepower, vehicles by make,model , year & engine displacement V-4, V-6 or V-8 and and other equipment that are on-site during the special event. If electric generators and carts are used please note them in the final equipment inventory. B) The estimated amount of hours that these vehicles or equipment are idling or in operation each day on site or going back and forth from the site and how many days they were used. 3) The development of an environmental awareness message by COA staff, special event staff and, if requested, interested stakeholders to encourage special event attendees to take action to reduce their impact while at the festival by reducing, reusing or recycling items that often go into the waste stream and/or a message related to improving air quality by changing their commute to the special event. Where possible the environmental awareness message can be shared by microphone with the attendees multiple times each day. Some form of incentivizing these actions while at the festival should be utilitized. As an example, this is done successfully at Blues on the Green.
DRAFT Green Event Planning for Community Events at COA Venues or on COA Right-of-Way 1) What is the most effective method of improving environmental outcomes at special events related to transportation, energy use, water use, fuel use, waste diversion and protecting human health? 2) What is the most effective method of educating event participants and spectators to understand the value of the “Green” measures that are showcased at a “Green” special event. For events for 149-499 participants – Environmental improvement measures are grouped in these categories: transportation, energy use, water use, fuel use, waste diversion and protecting human health. The event organizers would be asked to choose 1 measure (if relevant) for each category and these measures would need to be emphasized through the event marketing channels for the event invite and to the best of their ability at the event check-in table as well. PARD and the COA Office of Special Events would add the “Green” event categories with a description to their respective websites with a reminder to event planners to archive their plan for future use. For events for 149 participants and more – a dedicated “Green” volunteer planner would be assigned to work with a volunteer committee for sustainability for the event or hire a professional “Green” event planner who will work with the committee as well. Both would be responsible for using the measures listed below and developing at least 3 measures from the list below. A post event report supplied to the COA Office of Special Events or PARD would evaluate the success of each of these measures on a scale of 1-10. Improving environmental outcomes: At COA-sponsored or co-sponsored events a concise report with a simple grading scheme would be provided to the COA Office of Special Events who would collaborate with the Office of Sustainability and the Transportation Dept. to evaluate future improvement opportunities. For community events the report would be labeled, archived and sent to the event planners the following year if they made a reservation for a COA venue or requested a City permit. Recommended measure options for “greening” special events on COA parkland Incorporate Zero Waste Guidelines into your event: http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Resource_Recovery/Event_Recycling_GUidelines_1.7.16_.pdf Use the Event Recyling Rebate offered by Austin Resource Recovery https://www.austintexas.gov/page/event-recycling-rebate Use a Water Monster or similar in place of bottled water paired with compostable cups. Encourage attendees to bring their own reusable water bottles Make attendees aware …
Parkland Events Task Force Draft Policy Recommendation 19 July 2016 DRAFT Page 1 of 1 Issue: Greening of Events & Parkland The Parkland Events Task Force (PETF) received draft proposals for reducing the environmental impact of special events that are held on City of Austin property and was asked to consider a policy recommendation that supports these proposals. 1. Background Data: The Greening of Events proposals are expressed in an undated draft document titled “Green Event Planning for Community Events at COA Venues or on COA Right-of-Way” (hereinafter referred to as Greening Document 1) and an undated , untitled draft document that addresses generators and hand-held equipment such as leaf blowers (hereinafter referred to as Greening Document 2). Greening Document 1 proposes a process for event producers to choose from a “menu” of environmental improvement measures, with follow-up scoring and reporting, for events of 149-499 participants. Greening Document 2 proposes additional focus and requirements for gasoline- or diesel-powered generators, carts, and hand-held equipment such as leaf blowers for events with >500 participants. Neither of these documents provides details of the cost estimates for compliance by the event organizers, staff resources required for implementation and oversight, or quantifies the benefits that could be realized. Policy Proposal: In regard to the proposals found in Greening Document 1 and 2, the PETF recommends that these proposals be pursued within context of the existing adopted policies outlined by the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan (approved by City Council on Dec 15, 2011) and the Austin Community Climate Plan (approved on June 4, 2015). 2. Background Data: The Parks & Recreation Department is far behind in achieving the City goal of Zero Waste by 2040. Although this policy directs the City Manager to “Lead by Example” in the implementation of waste diversion programs, only 1 of the City’s 300 parks has recycling containers and only 2 of 51 public pools have on-site recycling (per Austin Monitor July 15, 2016 article “Why don’t Austin parks have recycling bins?”) Policy Proposal: The City/PARD should provide on-site recycling containers within all city parks, pools, and recreation centers that have at least 100 visitors a day by October 2017. 3. Background Data: The review of 1 major event contract provided to the PETF indicates that the event organizer is required to provide for and actively promote recycling of all plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and cardboard. Glass and …
Flood Mitigation Task Force COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNOUNCEMENT Regular City Council Meeting Thursday, May 19, 10 a.m. Austin City Hall 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX A quorum may be present. Administrative Liaison: Katie Pfeil 512-974-3377
Flood Mitigation Task Force COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNOUNCEMENT Environmental Commission Meeting Wednesday, May 18, 6 p.m. Austin City Hall 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX A quorum may be present. Administrative Liaison: Katie Pfeil 512-974-3377
Flood Mitigation Task Force COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNOUNCEMENT Public Utilities Council Committee Meeting Monday, May 16, 3 p.m. Austin City Hall 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX A quorum may be present. Administrative Liaison: Katie Pfeil 512-974-3377
Flood Mitigation Task Force May 16, 2016 – 7 p.m. One Texas Center, Room 325 505 Barton Springs Road Austin, Texas CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Rose Marie Klee (Mayor) Jeffrey Henke (Mayor) Marvin Chaney (D-1) Ben Hodges (D-1) Ana Aguirre (D-2) Robert Kibbie (D-2) Kate Mason-Murphy (D-3) Richard Maness (D-3) Rolando Delgado (D-4) Carol Olewin (D-4) Ken Jacob (D-5) Rollin MacRae (D-5) Paul Morales (D-6) Jay Scanlon (D-6) Dale Gray (D-7) Dorsey Twidwell, Jr. (D-7) Robert Henneke (D-8) Matthew L. Rienstra (D-8) John Gleason (D-9) Elloa Mathews (D-9) Raymond Canfield (D-10) John Pitts (D-10) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – May 16, 2016, 7 p.m. 1. CITIZEN 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. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve the minutes of the Flood Mitigation Task Force regular meeting of May 4, 2016 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Discuss final draft of the Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council and receive staff input on document 4. VOTING ITEMS a. Adoption of final draft of Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Future meeting topics and staff input ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Katie Pfeil, Watershed Protection Department, at 512-974-3377 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Flood Mitigation Task Force, please contact Katie Pfeil, Watershed Protection Department, at 512-974-3377 or katie.pfeil@austintexas.gov.
FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES May 16, 2016 1 FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING DRAFT MINUTES (May 16, 2016) The Flood Mitigation Task Force convened in a regular meeting on May 16, 2016 at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road in Austin, Texas. Task Force Members in Attendance: Rolando Delgado, John Gleason, Dale Gray, Jeff Henke, Ken Jacob, Rollin MacRae, Richard Maness, Elloa Matthews, Carol Olewin, Matthew L. Rienstra, Jay Scanlon, and Dorsey Twidwell Staff in Attendance: Jean Drew, Joydeep Goswami, Jose Guerrero, Matt Hollon, Roxanne Jackson, Larry Jantzen, Pam Kearfott, Lynne Lightsey, Keith Noble, Joe Pantalion, Katie Pfeil, Scott Prinsen, Jerry Reynolds, Kathy Rock, Kevin Shunk, and Kelly Strickler Chair Matthew L. Rienstra called the Task Force meeting to order at 7:29 p.m. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ross Smith spoke about a raccoon nest located in a storm drain. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the meeting of 5/4/2016 were approved on Task Force Member Ken Jacob’s motion and Task Force Member Dorsey Twidwell’s second on a 12-0 vote. Task Force Members Ana Aguirre, Ray Canfield, Marvin Chaney, Robert Henneke, Ben Hodges, Robert Kibbie, Rose Marie Klee, Kate Mason-Murphy, Paul Morales, and John Pitts were absent. 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Discus final draft of the Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council and receive staff input on document. No action taken. 4. VOTING ITEMS a. Adoption of final draft of Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council There was a motion by Task Force Member Ken Jacob, seconded by Task Force Member Dorset Twidwell, to amend the executive summary of the Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council. The motion was approved on a vote of 12-0. Task Force Members Ana Aguirre, Ray Canfield, Marvin Chaney, Robert Henneke, Ben Hodges, Robert Kibbie, Rose Marie Klee, Kate Mason-Murphy, Paul Morales, and John Pitts were absent. FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES May 16, 2016 2 There was a motion by Task Force Member Ken Jacob, seconded by Task Force Member Jay Scanlon, to adopt the revised version of the executive summary of the Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council. The motion was approved on a vote of 12-0. Task Force Members Ana Aguirre, Ray Canfield, Marvin Chaney, Robert Henneke, Ben Hodges, Robert Kibbie, Rose Marie Klee, Kate Mason-Murphy, Paul Morales, and John Pitts were absent. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Future …
Flood Mitigation Task Force May 4, 2016 – 6:30 p.m. One Texas Center, Room 325 505 Barton Springs Road Austin, Texas CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Rose Marie Klee (Mayor) Jeffrey Henke (Mayor) Marvin Chaney (D-1) Ben Hodges (D-1) Ana Aguirre (D-2) Robert Kibbie (D-2) Kate Mason-Murphy (D-3) Richard Maness (D-3) Rolando Delgado (D-4) Carol Olewin (D-4) Ken Jacob (D-5) Rollin MacRae (D-5) Paul Morales (D-6) Jay Scanlon (D-6) Dale Gray (D-7) Dorsey Twidwell, Jr. (D-7) Robert Henneke (D-8) Matthew L. Rienstra (D-8) John Gleason (D-9) Elloa Mathews (D-9) Raymond Canfield (D-10) John Pitts (D-10) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – May 4, 2016, 6:30 p.m. 1. CITIZEN 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. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve the minutes of the Flood Mitigation Task Force regular meeting of April 28, 2016 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council; approval process of final report b. Discuss Specific Subsections of the Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council and receive staff input on Report Subsections 4. VOTING ITEMS a. Specific Subsections of Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Future meeting topics and staff input ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Katie Pfeil, Watershed Protection Department, at 512-974-3377 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Flood Mitigation Task Force, please contact Katie Pfeil, Watershed Protection Department, at 512-974-3377 or katie.pfeil@austintexas.gov.
FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES May 4, 2016 1 FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (May 4, 2016) The Flood Mitigation Task Force convened in a regular meeting on May 4, 2016 at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road in Austin, Texas. Task Force Members in Attendance: Ana Aguirre, Marvin Chaney, Rolando Delgado, John Gleason, Dale Gray, Jeff Henke, Ken Jacob, Robert Kibbie, Rollin MacRae, Richard Maness, Elloa Matthews, Carol Olewin, John Pitts, Matthew L. Rienstra, and Dorsey Twidwell Staff in Attendance: Jean Drew, Joydeep Goswami, Jose Guerrero, Matt Hollon, Roxanne Jackson, Larry Jantzen, Pam Kearfott, Lynne Lightsey, Keith Noble, Joe Pantalion, Katie Pfeil, Scott Prinsen, Jerry Reynolds, Kathy Rock, Kevin Shunk, and Kelly Strickler Chair Matthew L. Rienstra called the Task Force meeting to order at 6:42 p.m. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Dick Perrone (Upper Onion Creek neighborhood) spoke about his concerns with the Regional Stormwater Management Program (RSMP). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the meeting of 4/25/2016 were approved on Task Force Member Dale Gray’s motion and Task Force Member John Pitts’ second on a 15-0 vote. Task Force Members Ray Canfield, Robert Henneke, Ben Hodges, Rose Marie Klee, Kate Mason-Murphy, Paul Morales, and Jay Scanlon were absent. 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council; approval process of final report No action taken. b. Discuss Specific Subsections of the Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council and receive staff input on Report Subsections Discussed sections 1a (“Flood Mitigation and Preparedness Strategies”), 1b (“Buyout and Variance Recommendations”), 1c (“Structure and Use of the DUF”), 1d (“Impacts to Equity and Affordability”), 1e (“Public Education”), 1f (“Standard and Green Infrastructure”), 2 (“Identify Available Funds”), 3 (“Peer Cities”), 4 (“Onion Creek Mitigation”), 5 (“Collaborating with the Environmental Commission”), and 6 (“Collaborating with Other Jurisdictions”) of the Final Report to Council. No action taken. 4. VOTING ITEMS FLOOD MITIGATION TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES May 4, 2016 2 a. Specific Subsections of Flood Mitigation Task Force Final Report to Council Subsection 1a There was a motion by Task Force Member Dorsey Twidwell, seconded by Task Force Member Dale Gray, to adopt the non-substantive clarifications to subsection 1a provided by the Watershed Protection Department. The motion was approved on a vote of 15-0. Task Force Members Ray Canfield, Robert Henneke, Ben Hodges, Rose Marie Klee, Kate Mason-Murphy, Paul Morales, and Jay Scanlon were absent. …
2. Identify available funds, including federal, state, and local sources as well as prioritizing future capital investment for flood mitigation and management.1 Recommendations: 1. Consider issuing debt consistent with the recommendations in this report. 2. Investigate opportunities for grants or cost sharing with US Geological Survey to install additional flood-hardened rainfall and stage gauges throughout the City. 3. Evaluate and identify opportunities to share costs with private development to upgrade outdated drainage systems. 4. Examine budgetary requests of other City Departments to identify projects less critical to public safety than flood mitigation and reallocate these resources to increase staff and resources of WPD. Council should prioritize capital spending in future budgets to focus spending on mitigating the most critical flood mitigation projects and to fund necessary maintenance operations over spending money on non-critical projects that do not impact public health and safety to reduce the fiscal impact to citizens. 5. Evaluate opportunities to leverage volunteer activities to encourage greater citizen participation in keeping waterways clear. Examples include Keep Austin Beautiful and the Colorado River Alliance. Understanding that the structure may be overly complex, Council should also explore simple straightforward financial incentives to spur citizen engagement, which could occur in the form of a tax credit or similar. 6. Leverage local funding with state and federal programs and funding options where practicable; however, take into considerations potential project delays or additional project needs/spending that may be part of the matching funds. Seek additional sources of funds for acquiring properties such as the Stafford Act’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP), Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice) funding (where applicable), and private partnerships. 1 The Drainage Master Plan and on-going planning activities being conducted by the Watershed Department have and continue to identify and define where the creek and local flooding problems are, the root cause of the flooding, and feasible mitigation alternatives to be considered. While the residents of Austin have expressed a strong desire to move faster to implement flood mitigation projects, there remains a need to continue planning and studies necessary to bring future projects to fruition. However, the biggest challenge has always been and will continue to be funding to implement the full scope of the Drainage Master Plan. Watershed staff provided a summary of Drainage and Watershed Bonds 1975-2015 and reported that the citizens of Austin …
3. PEER CITIES – Evaluating best practices in peer cities with similar climate and flood issues. AUSTIN: 2014 Population 912,791 Square miles 271.8 The following cites have similar climate and flood issues as Austin and have experienced major flood events and implemented flood mitigation solutions that may be of interest and benefit to the City of Austin, 1. TULSA: 2014 Population 399,682 Square miles 196.8 Tulsa has a similar flood history as Austin with frequent flooding, rapid growth and a general denial of the possibility that floods could reoccur until their “year of the floods” in 1974 and 1984 Memorial Day flood, which killed 14, injured 288, damaged or destroyed nearly 7,000 buildings and did $180 million in damages. Following that flood, Tulsa appears to have taken the initiative to prevent future flooding and relocation of people through a series of policies and ongoing actions. Actions taken included: 1. 1984 flood caused relocation of 300 flooded homeowners & a mobile home park and damaged or destroyed 7,000 buildings; 2. Introduced a total capital program for flood control and master drainage plans. 3. City Commissioners enacted a floodplain building moratorium following the 1976 flood. 4. Created Dept. of Storm water Management to centralize flood, drainage and storm water programs and funded by the City budget. 5. Storm water utility fee created to be utilized exclusively for maintenance of storm water detention facilities, stream channels, pumping stations, culverts, ditches and other drainage facilities. The current fee is $5.43 per month, based on cost of clearing 2,650 square feet of property. 6. Storm drainage management is now part of the Streets and Storm water Dept. 7. After storms & when needed, crews clear the streams and detention sites also utilizing storm water fees. On average, they clean more than 22 miles of ditches and clear about 5 miles of drainage pipe each year. 8. Phased implementation programs for large capital projects are funded by storm water fees, sales tax revenues or bond issues and utilized for acquisition of lands & construction of large water retention facilities, major drainage basin improvements and other related projects. 1 9. Building parks in the floodplains, sports fields in storm water detention locations and greenway trails on creek banks. 10. “In Tulsa, growth is welcomed – so long as it will not flood or cause flooding elsewhere.” 11. Tulsa now has the lowest flood insurance rates in the …
4.0 ONION CREEK RECOMMENDATIONS October 30, 2015, marked the latest in a series of flooding disasters that have created serious property damage and loss of life along Onion Creek over the years. Prior to this, there was the Halloween Flood 2013, in which the flood waters reached a record level of 41 feet and, for the first time, severely damaged and destroyed homes in the Upper Onion Creek neighborhood in addition to lower Onion Creek. The 2013 Halloween Flood had destroyed or severely damaged homes in Onion Creek at a total estimated cost of well over $150 million, including some city services. This dollar loss was probably much higher due to the lack of complete data from the city and affected counties. In response to the 2013 Halloween Flood on Onion Creek, the City Council had passed Resolution 20140515-028 directing the City Manager to, among other things, provide a report to Council regarding the costs associated with the purchase of homes in the Lower Onion Creek floodplain around the William Cannon Drive and Pleasant Valley Road area as well as funding options and an evaluation of the drainage fee. The 2013 and 2015 floods resulted in a need to redraw the floodplain map, but also to look more closely at possible ways to reduce the impact of future floods and preclude the need for extensive buyouts in the future. The goal of the current Onion Creek Floodplain and Flood Mitigation Study, in addition to redrawing the floodplain maps, was to eliminate potential inundation of buildings during a 1% annual chance event (ACE). It was determined by the consultants that a 3 to 5 foot reduction in the peak would be needed to achieve the target of reducing flood risk by 30%. The specific focus area of the Study was IH35 to E. Slaughter Lane, known as Upper Onion Creek, but we suggest that attention should continue to be directed to both Upper and Lower Onion Creek. In reading the Study and the cover letter from Watershed, we feel that a good job has been done by Halff Engineering, but it is still preliminary and needs further work, especially concerning upstream detention and the future issues to be faced if impervious cover controls are not implemented throughout the Onion Creek floodplain. This should be considered a high priority. Options evaluated in the study for Upper Onion Creek included: 1. Property Buyouts …
