MINUTES for SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Monday, February 10, 2020 Firefighters’, Police Officers’ and Emergency Medical Personnel’s Civil Service Commission The Firefighters’, Police Officers’, and Emergency Medical Services Personnel’s Civil Service Commission convened in a Special Called Meeting on Monday, February 10, 2020 at 5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Building 500, Room 249 Austin TX 78741 Board Members in Attendance: Commission Chair Jolsna Thomas Commission Member Eyna Canales-Zarate Staff in Attendance: Michael Sullivan, Civil Service Coordinator Mecia Griffin, Civil Service Coordinator Jasper Brown, Assistant Chief, Emergency Medical Services Department CALL TO ORDER Civil Service Commission Chair Thomas called the Commission Meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ann Skowronski, Assistant City Attorney No members of the public signed up to speak on this item. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve the minutes from the Firefighters’, Police Officers’, and Emergency Medical Services Personnel’s Civil Service Commission Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019. The minutes from the Regular Meeting of December 2, 2019, were approved on Commission Member Canales-Zarate’s motion, Commission Chair Thomas’ second on a 2-0 vote. 2. NEW BUSINESS 1 a. Hear and rule on appeal(s) from the 2020 Police Corporal Detective written promotional examination administered on January 9, 2020, pursuant to the Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143.034, Article 13 of the Agreement between the City of Austin and the Austin Police Association and Rule 7 of the City of Austin Fire Fighters’, Police Officers’ and Emergency Medical Services Personnel’s Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations. Commission Member Canales-Zarate made a motion to deny the appeal on exam question 17, and let the question remain as keyed. Commission Chair Thomas seconded the motion. The motion to deny the appeal of question 17 was approved 2-0. b. Consider and take action on the Police Department’s request to dismiss the pending appeal of the indefinite suspension of Austin Police Officer VonTrey Clark, imposed by former Chief of Police Art Acevedo on July 23, 2015, and appealed by Officer Clark on July 27, 2015. Commission Member Canales-Zarate made a motion to grant the dismissal of the pending appeal of the indefinite suspension of Austin Police Officer VonTrey Clark. The motion was seconded by Commission Chair Thomas. The motion was approved on 2-0 vote. c. Hear and act upon the Emergency Medical Services Department Chief Ernesto Rodriguez' November 15, 2019, request to the Commission for the involuntary demotion of ATCEMS Clinical Specialist …
REGULAR MEETING February 10, 2020 URBAN RENEWAL BOARD APPROVED MINUTES (APPROVED MAY 18, 2020) The Urban Renewal Board convened the regular meeting on Monday, February 10, 2020, at the Street‐Jones Building, 1000 East 11th Street, Room 400A, Austin TX. Chair Escobar called the Board Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Manuel Escobar, Chair Amit Motwani Danielle Skidmore Jacqueline Watson Darrell Pierce Nathaniel Bradford Board Members Absent: Roxanne Evans, Vice‐Chair Staff in Attendance: Mandy DeMayo Sandra Harkins Mark Walters PURPOSE: The Board of Commissioners primary responsibility is to oversee the implementation and compliance of approved Urban Renewal Plans that are adopted by the Austin City Council. An Urban Renewal Plan's primary purpose is to eliminate slum and blighting influence within a designated area of the city. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Approval of the January 13, 2020, Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion to approve the January 13, 2020, regular meeting minutes was made by Commissioner Watson seconded by Commissioner Skidmore with Commissioner Pierce abstaining, the item was approved on a 5‐0‐1 vote. Approval of the January 29, 2020, Work Session Minutes. The motion to approve the January 29, 2020, work session minutes was made by Commissioner Watson seconded by 1 Commissioner Skidmore with Commissioner Motwani abstaining, the item was approved on a 5‐0‐1 vote. 2. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL (The first 5 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns. This is the opportunity for visitors and guests to address the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Austin (Agency) on any issue. The Agency may not debate any non-agenda issue, nor may any action be taken on any non-agenda issue at this time however the Agency may present any factual response to items brought up by citizens. (Attorney General Opinion – JC-0169) (Limit of three minutes each). None 3. NEW BUSINESS None 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on recommended modifications to the East 11th and 12th Street Urban Renewal Plan. Chair provided a brief review and update of what has occurred to date regarding the changes to the East 11th and 12th Street Urban Renewal Plan (URPlan). NHCD staff provided an overview of the draft URPlan and updates that were requested and/or made from the last meeting. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN b. Discussion and possible action on the …
AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-02-10 REGULAR MEETING APPROVED July 6, 2020 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION February 10, 2020 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting, Monday, February 10, 6 p.m., at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Boards and Commissions Room 1101, Austin. Chair David Lundstedt called the Commission Meeting to order at 6 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: David Lundstedt, Lisa Mitchell, Katie Jarl, Craig Nazor, Monica Frenden, Andrea Schwartz, JoAnne Norton, Dr. Jon Brandes, Nancy Nemer, and Ryan Clinton. Commission Members Absent: Palmer Neuhaus, Edward Flores, District 4 Vacant Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza, and Belinda Hare CITIZEN 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. None. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Jarl moved to approve the January 13, 2020, minutes; Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. All commissioners present voted to approve, 9 to 0, including Commissioners Lundstedt, Mitchell, Jarl, Nazor, Frenden, Dr. Brandes, Schwartz, Norton. Nemer and Clinton. Commissioners Neuhaus and Flores were absent. District 4 is Vacant. 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Chief Animal Services Officer Report o January 2020 Animal Services Report o January 2020Austin Animal Center Report 3. OLD BUSINESS 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-02-10 a. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on the Wildlife Funding Workgroup b. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on Budget and Priorities Workgroup No action. No Action c. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding New Meeting Requirements per the Texas Open Meeting Act (TOMA) No action. d. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Workgroup on Austin Animal Center’s Shelter-Neuter-Release (SNR) Program Julie Marquis Shelly Liebham No action. No action. No action No action. Budget. No Action e. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on Code Revision Workgroup f. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on Loose Dogs g. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on Target and Reporting Categories 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Austin Animal Center’s 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commission Chair Lundstedt requested removing Old Business agenda items, 3a, 3c, and 3f while carrying over remaining agenda items under Old Business. Agenda item 4a will move to Old Business. Under New Business Commission Chair Lundstedt moved to add the Election of Officers. 6. ADJOURNMENT a. Chair Lundstedt adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m. without …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, February 10, 2020, at City Hall, 301 W Second Street, Room 1027, in Austin, Texas. Chair Victor Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members in Attendance: Martinez, Baeza, Curry, Currette, Daniels, Doughty, Dowling, Gonzales, Gonzalez, Gorczynski, Hines, Kirby, Taylor, Wollerson Staff in Attendance: Staff Liaison Neal Falgoust PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Carlos Leon spoke on a personal matter. Liam Garcia spoke on issues related to immigration, DACA, and resources available to the undocumented immigrant community. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER –The Commission voted 13-0 to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order. The chair conducted the meeting based on consensus. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The meeting minutes of January 13, 2020, were amended and approved without objection. 3. REGULAR BUSINESS a. Maya Guevara, Community Engagement Specialist for the Office of Police Oversight, presented a report concerning racial profiling in APD traffic stops and arrests and presented recommendations for the commission to consider for future action. The presentation also included information related to the Community Police Review Commission and its role in police oversight. b. Julia Byron of the Office of Design and Delivery, and D. Susan Walch and Michael Henderson of the U.S. Census Bureau, made a presentation concerning the 2020 Census and efforts to ensure the LGBTQ community is counted. Special focus is being placed on the community to ensure it is not undercounted as in previous censuses. c. Commission members discussed the process for making recommendations related to the City’s fiscal year 2020-2021 budget. d. Joshua Robinson of the Equity Office provided an update concerning a quality of life study. The City has received three proposals to evaluate. e. Commissioners reviewed previous recommendations and discussed necessary steps to follow up. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Martinez adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. without objection.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Board will be exploring Zilker Park with an eye to transportation access to and between different parts of the park. How can we make Zilker Park more accessible to people traveling on foot, with a mobility device, riding a bike, driving a car or taking a bus? PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Community Interest Announcement Zilker Park Mobility Field Trip Saturday, February 8, 2020 10:00am – 12:45pm Zilker Hillside Theater 2206 William Barton Dr. Austin, TX 78746 Attendees will meet at a tent in the vicinity of Zilker Hillside Theater. Please dress appropriately to spend a few hours outdoors and bring a water bottle. If you are able, we would appreciate a $5-10 donation to supply tacos and coffee! Schedule of Activities 10:00-10:15am Greetings and introduction, divide into teams 10:15-11:45am Explore the park and environs, take notes 11:45-12:45pm Regroup and share takeaways + tacos and coffee! A quorum of commission members may be present. No action will be taken. Board Liaison Sammi Curless 512-974-6716
pbb MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (MCPD) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING COMMUNITY FORUM AGENDA February 7, 2020 301 West Second Street Austin, TX 78701 5:00 pm in City Hall Board and Commission Room 101 CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Jonathan Franks, Chair Taurean Burt Joey Gidseg Diane Kearns-Osterweil Jose Levy CALL TO ORDER Robin Orlowski Danny Saenz Emily Shryock Deborah Trejo CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: Each speaker signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will be called in order of sign-up and will be allowed three minutes to speak. 1. STAFF BRIEFING: Ed Van Eenoo, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services Department to give a brief explanation regarding the type of information being requested with respect to the 2020-2021 City of Austin Budget. 2. COMMUNITY FORUM: The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities will conduct a forum on community priorities for the 2020-2021 City of Austin budget. The Committee may take action concerning recommendations related to the budget. – Chair Franks and Full committee. 3. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 2 For accessibility, we appreciate your cooperation in keeping our meetings fragrance free. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair and public transportation access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 48 hours before the meeting. Please call Lee Nguyen at Human Resources Department, at (512) 974-1897 or Lee.Nguyen@austintexas.gov, for additional information, TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities, please contact David Ondich at (512) 974-3256 or david.ondich@austintexas.gov. Page 2 of 2
SPECIAL-CALLED MEETING JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION & PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Friday, February 7, 2020 – 11:30 A.M. Board and Commission Room, Room 1101, City Hall 301 W. 2nd St, Austin, Texas 78701 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Parks and Recreation Board Rich DePalma (Mayor) Romteen Farasat (D-4) Dawn Lewis (D-10) Vacant AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Environmental Commission Linda Guerrero – Chair (D-9) Peggy Maceo (D-7) Mary Ann Neely (D-5) Pam Thompson (D-3) Speakers must be signed up prior to the meeting being called to order, and each speaker will be allotted three (3) minutes to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission & Parks and Recreation Board meeting of October 16, 2019. D. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Presentation on Stakeholder and Public Notification Requirements When Considering New Tree Plantings at Barton Springs Pool, Lucas Massie, Parks and Recreation Department 2. Upper Dam Project Update, Mike Kelly, Watershed Protection Department 3. Discuss and Set Future Meeting Dates, Linda Guerrero, Committee Chair E. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS F. 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) Page 1 of 2 before the meeting date. Please call Sammi Curless, with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, at 512- 974-6716, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission & the Parks and Recreation Board, please contact Sammi Curless at sammi.curless@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-974-6716. Page 2 of 2
JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION & PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD October 16, 2019 – 11:30 AM Council Chambers, City Hall 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 MINUTES ATTENDANCE: Parks and Recreation Board: Present: Dawn Lewis (left meeting at 1:28 pm) Rich DePalma Absent: Tom Donovan Romteen Farasat Environmental Commission: Present: Mary Ann Neely (left meeting at 2:12 pm) Linda Guerrero—Chair Peggy Maceo Pam Thompson A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by the Chair at 11:35 a.m. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Committee Member Lewis moved to approve the minutes of the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board meeting of May 29, 2018. Motion was seconded by Committee Member Maceo. Motion carried on a vote of 6-0, with two committee members absent. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION There was one general citizen communication. D. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 2. Upper Dam Project Update, David Johns, Watershed Protection Department After presentation of the agenda item by City staff, there were seven citizen communications, with additional citizens donating time to speakers. Committee Chair Guerrero moved to have the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department outline a stakeholder process for the Upper Dam Project with consideration for a third-party analysis, and notify the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and the Parks and Recreations Board of the outcome of that decision, reporting back on the stakeholder process for review by the Joint Committee. Motion was seconded by Committee Member Lewis. Motion carried 6-0, with two committee members absent. 3. Barton Springs Bathhouse Update, Sergio Altamirano, Public Works Department & John McKennis, Parks and Recreation Department After presentation of the agenda item by City staff and project consultant, there were three citizen communications. No action was taken by the Joint Committee. Due to staff time constraints, Item D5 was moved up on the agenda and heard before D4. 5. Review, clarify, and discuss notification requirements for tree plantings on the South side of the Barton Springs pool including written agreements with the public and stakeholders, Linda Guerrero, Committee Chair & Peggy Maceo, Committee Member. There were two citizen communications. After staff presentation and discussion, Committee Chair Guerrero moved that the Parks and Recreations staff and the Forestry Division staff will devise a written agreement with stakeholders, partner groups, and nonprofits that request planting within the Barton Springs pool area. The written planting agreement will be directed to the …
Barton Springs Tree Planting Process Joint Committee Ask PARD Staff and Forestry Staff will devise a written agreement with stakeholders, partner groups and nonprofits that request tree plantings within the Barton Springs Pool area. The written planting agreement will be presented or communicated to the Joint Committee as a notification process. Planting Guiding Principles • Masterplan • • “new trees should be planted to preemptively replenish the canopy and to densify the shade” “selected from the native Texas tree palette and should be chosen for their beauty, their durability and their appropriateness to their waterside location” • Age Diversity • Species Diversity Planting Notification • Planting will be shard via a memo by July 1st each year • Presentation when the Joint Committee meets between July 1st and the start of the tree planting season Steps After Notification • PARD makes tree purchases. Possible donation support • Planting dates established • Maintenance details coordinated • Work with volunteers and support groups Tree Inventory
M E M O R A N D U M Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission & Parks and Recreation Board Michael P. Kelly, P.E., Managing Engineer Environmental Resource Management, Watershed Protection Department January 16, 2020 TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission & Parks and Recreation Board, Item 4b, Upper Dam Project Update In response to discussions at the October 16, 2019 Joint Committee meeting on the Barton Springs Pool Upper Dam proposal, staff has the following update. Staff presented a proposal to install three gates into the upper dam that would allow periodic inflows of Barton Creek water into Barton Springs Pool. Public testimony on the proposal included the following categories of concern: Increases in pollutant concentration, risk to human health; Increases in algae; • Changes to temperature; • • • Certainty of gate operations; • Costs/benefits and • Certainty of ecological benefits. Staff from Watershed Protection and Parks and Recreation appreciate this first round of stakeholder input. The concerns raised by the public echo questions posed by staff in developing a plan to further investigate the feasibility of this proposal. After examining the existing data and information and determining what is needed to make conclusive projections regarding the performance of the gates, staff decided that we are unable at this time to recommend moving forward with the next phase of the gate project. In order to move forward, staff needs to gain a more complete understanding of the pool ecosystem that will allow us to define a desired condition warranting the investments in a gate system. That understanding requires more information on historical and baseline conditions in the pool. It also requires that we develop a more comprehensive model of the pool system that will allow staff to manipulate the inflow variables to calculate impacts on temperature, pollution concentration, impact on pool cleaning and gate operations. To that end, staff will develop a workplan for consideration in Fiscal Year 2021 that outlines all the needed steps to develop a more complete understanding of the pool. Should this plan rise to high priority as a department activity, staff will include in our project list for Fiscal Year 2021. At that time, we will be able to provide an updated briefing on potential next steps. Should the Joint Committee members have any follow up questions, please contact Mike Kelly at 512- 974-6591 or mike.kelly@austintexas.gov. cc: Jorge …
JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION & PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 2020 Meeting Schedule Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Wednesday, July 22, 2020 Wednesday, October 28, 2020
SPECIAL-CALLED MEETING JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION & PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Friday, February 7, 2020 – 11:30 A.M. Board and Commission Room, Room 1101, City Hall 301 W. 2nd St, Austin, Texas 78701 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Parks and Recreation Board Rich DePalma (Mayor) Romteen Farasat (D-4) Dawn Lewis (D-10) Vacant AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER B. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Environmental Commission Linda Guerrero – Chair (D-9) Peggy Maceo (D-7) Mary Ann Neely (D-5) Pam Thompson (D-3) Speakers must be signed up prior to the meeting being called to order, and each speaker will be allotted three (3) minutes to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission & Parks and Recreation Board meeting of October 16, 2019. D. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Presentation on Stakeholder and Public Notification Requirements When Considering New Tree Plantings at Barton Springs Pool, Lucas Massie, Parks and Recreation Department 2. Upper Dam Project Update, Mike Kelly, Watershed Protection Department 3. Discuss and Set Future Meeting Dates, Linda Guerrero, Committee Chair E. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS F. 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) Page 1 of 2 before the meeting date. Please call Sammi Curless, with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, at 512- 974-6716, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission & the Parks and Recreation Board, please contact Sammi Curless at sammi.curless@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-974-6716. Page 2 of 2
JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION & PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD October 16, 2019 – 11:30 AM Council Chambers, City Hall 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 MINUTES ATTENDANCE: Parks and Recreation Board: Present: Dawn Lewis (left meeting at 1:28 pm) Rich DePalma Absent: Tom Donovan Romteen Farasat Environmental Commission: Present: Mary Ann Neely (left meeting at 2:12 pm) Linda Guerrero—Chair Peggy Maceo Pam Thompson A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by the Chair at 11:35 a.m. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Committee Member Lewis moved to approve the minutes of the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board meeting of May 29, 2018. Motion was seconded by Committee Member Maceo. Motion carried on a vote of 6-0, with two committee members absent. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION There was one general citizen communication. D. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 2. Upper Dam Project Update, David Johns, Watershed Protection Department After presentation of the agenda item by City staff, there were seven citizen communications, with additional citizens donating time to speakers. Committee Chair Guerrero moved to have the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department outline a stakeholder process for the Upper Dam Project with consideration for a third-party analysis, and notify the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and the Parks and Recreations Board of the outcome of that decision, reporting back on the stakeholder process for review by the Joint Committee. Motion was seconded by Committee Member Lewis. Motion carried 6-0, with two committee members absent. 3. Barton Springs Bathhouse Update, Sergio Altamirano, Public Works Department & John McKennis, Parks and Recreation Department After presentation of the agenda item by City staff and project consultant, there were three citizen communications. No action was taken by the Joint Committee. Due to staff time constraints, Item D5 was moved up on the agenda and heard before D4. 5. Review, clarify, and discuss notification requirements for tree plantings on the South side of the Barton Springs pool including written agreements with the public and stakeholders, Linda Guerrero, Committee Chair & Peggy Maceo, Committee Member. There were two citizen communications. After staff presentation and discussion, Committee Chair Guerrero moved that the Parks and Recreations staff and the Forestry Division staff will devise a written agreement with stakeholders, partner groups, and nonprofits that request planting within the Barton Springs pool area. The written planting agreement will be directed to the …
Barton Springs Tree Planting Process Joint Committee Ask PARD Staff and Forestry Staff will devise a written agreement with stakeholders, partner groups and nonprofits that request tree plantings within the Barton Springs Pool area. The written planting agreement will be presented or communicated to the Joint Committee as a notification process. Planting Guiding Principles • Masterplan • • “new trees should be planted to preemptively replenish the canopy and to densify the shade” “selected from the native Texas tree palette and should be chosen for their beauty, their durability and their appropriateness to their waterside location” • Age Diversity • Species Diversity Planting Notification • Planting will be shard via a memo by July 1st each year • Presentation when the Joint Committee meets between July 1st and the start of the tree planting season Steps After Notification • PARD makes tree purchases. Possible donation support • Planting dates established • Maintenance details coordinated • Work with volunteers and support groups Tree Inventory
M E M O R A N D U M Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission & Parks and Recreation Board Michael P. Kelly, P.E., Managing Engineer Environmental Resource Management, Watershed Protection Department January 16, 2020 TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission & Parks and Recreation Board, Item 4b, Upper Dam Project Update In response to discussions at the October 16, 2019 Joint Committee meeting on the Barton Springs Pool Upper Dam proposal, staff has the following update. Staff presented a proposal to install three gates into the upper dam that would allow periodic inflows of Barton Creek water into Barton Springs Pool. Public testimony on the proposal included the following categories of concern: Increases in pollutant concentration, risk to human health; Increases in algae; • Changes to temperature; • • • Certainty of gate operations; • Costs/benefits and • Certainty of ecological benefits. Staff from Watershed Protection and Parks and Recreation appreciate this first round of stakeholder input. The concerns raised by the public echo questions posed by staff in developing a plan to further investigate the feasibility of this proposal. After examining the existing data and information and determining what is needed to make conclusive projections regarding the performance of the gates, staff decided that we are unable at this time to recommend moving forward with the next phase of the gate project. In order to move forward, staff needs to gain a more complete understanding of the pool ecosystem that will allow us to define a desired condition warranting the investments in a gate system. That understanding requires more information on historical and baseline conditions in the pool. It also requires that we develop a more comprehensive model of the pool system that will allow staff to manipulate the inflow variables to calculate impacts on temperature, pollution concentration, impact on pool cleaning and gate operations. To that end, staff will develop a workplan for consideration in Fiscal Year 2021 that outlines all the needed steps to develop a more complete understanding of the pool. Should this plan rise to high priority as a department activity, staff will include in our project list for Fiscal Year 2021. At that time, we will be able to provide an updated briefing on potential next steps. Should the Joint Committee members have any follow up questions, please contact Mike Kelly at 512- 974-6591 or mike.kelly@austintexas.gov. cc: Jorge …
JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION & PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 2020 Meeting Schedule Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Wednesday, July 22, 2020 Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Barton Springs Tree Planting Process Joint Committee Ask PARD Staff and Forestry Staff will devise a written agreement with stakeholders, partner groups and nonprofits that request tree plantings within the Barton Springs Pool area. The written planting agreement will be directed to the Joint Committee as a notification process. Planting Guiding Principles • Masterplan • • “new trees should be planted to preemptively replenish the canopy and to densify the shade” “selected from the native Texas tree palette and should be chosen for their beauty, their durability and their appropriateness to their waterside location” • Age Diversity • Species Diversity Planting Notification • Planting will be shard via a memo by July 1st each year • Presentation when the Joint Committee meets between July 1st and the start of the tree planting season Steps After Notification • PARD makes tree purchases. Possible donation support • Planting dates established • Maintenance details coordinated • Work with volunteers and support groups Tree Inventory Contact Lists Twitter Facebook Nextdoor Barton Springs Conservancy Barton Springs Conservation District AISD Save Barton Creek Association Hill Country Conservancy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Friends of Barton Springs Expedition School Keep Austin Beautiful Sunshine Camps The Trail Foundation Communities in Schools Central Texas Austin Parks Foundation Zilker Botanical Gardens Conservancy Save Our Springs Alliance Zilker Neighborhood Association Friends of Zilker Neighborhood Barton Hills Neighborhood Association Trail of Lights Foundation and Zilker Kite Festival Blues on the Green Austin City Limits Music Festival Zilker Park Boat Rentals Watershed Protection Austin Water Waterloo Disc Golf Association Zilker Hillside Theater Austin Nature and Science Center Friends Group Umlauf Sculpture Gardens
Barton Springs Tree Planting Process Joint Committee Ask PARD Staff and Forestry Staff will devise a written agreement with stakeholders, partner groups and nonprofits that request tree plantings within the Barton Springs Pool area. The written planting agreement will be directed to the Joint Committee as a notification process. Planting Guiding Principles • Masterplan • • “new trees should be planted to preemptively replenish the canopy and to densify the shade” “selected from the native Texas tree palette and should be chosen for their beauty, their durability and their appropriateness to their waterside location” • Age Diversity • Species Diversity Planting Notification • Planting will be shared via a memo by July 1st each year • Presentation when the Joint Committee meets between July 1st and the start of the tree planting season Steps After Notification • PARD makes tree purchases. Possible donation support • Planting dates established • Maintenance details coordinated • Work with volunteers and support groups Tree Inventory Contact Lists Twitter Facebook Nextdoor Barton Springs Conservancy Barton Springs Conservation District AISD Save Barton Creek Association Hill Country Conservancy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Friends of Barton Springs Expedition School Keep Austin Beautiful Sunshine Camps The Trail Foundation Communities in Schools Central Texas Austin Parks Foundation Zilker Botanical Gardens Conservancy Save Our Springs Alliance Zilker Neighborhood Association Friends of Zilker Neighborhood Barton Hills Neighborhood Association Trail of Lights Foundation and Zilker Kite Festival Blues on the Green Austin City Limits Music Festival Zilker Park Boat Rentals Watershed Protection Austin Water Waterloo Disc Golf Association Zilker Hillside Theater Austin Nature and Science Center Friends Group Umlauf Sculpture Gardens
