Page 1 of 3 LOW INCOME CONSUMER ADVISORY TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES June 19, 2015 The Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force convened in a regular meeting at Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs Road, Room 100, in Austin, Texas. Chairperson, Carol Biedrzycki called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Task Force Members in Attendance: Carol Biedrzycki , Tim Arndt, Lanetta Cooper, Karen Hadden, Richard Halpin, Dan Pruett, Cyrus Reed, and Chris Strand. Member Kelly Weiss was not in attendance. Staff in Attendance: Austin Energy (AE) staff included Sady Bartlett, Toye Goodson-Collins, Liz Jambor, Debbie Kimberly, and Denise Kuehn. 1. CALL TO ORDER a. Review, discussion and possible amendment of operating procedures-The Chair discussed the Task Force’s current operating rules and processes. She distributed the interim report that was submitted to Council on June 12, 2015. The Chair wanted input from the members regarding different procedures to reduce the current hectic process of submitting recommendations. Members discussed and offered comments. The Chair introduced Cynthia Tom with the City of Austin Law Department. She would provide a presentation on the Public Information Act (PIA), Records Retention, and the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). She informed members that as the Task Force is coming towards the end of their work, they needed to keep the following guidelines in mind: • A report from the Task Force needs to be supported by a vote of the quorum. • Deliberations are not to happen behind closed doors or via email. • Recommendations need to be voted on prior to finalizing the report. • Members could convene in working groups of 4 or less. • The report should not be distributed to the group unless it is in an open meeting; this allows the entire group to be able vote on the final report. Debbie Kimberly, VP of Customer Energy Solutions noted the amount of work done by both the group and staff. She supported the idea of giving more time to review the report in an open meeting and emphasized that Austin Energy (AE) staff’s role is to advise the Task Force. Member Strand asked the Chair to formally invite AE staff to sit at the discussion table. Staff joined the members at the table. Members Reed and Pruett wanted staff responses regarding the final report throughout the process. Member Cooper recommended Member Halpin to be parliamentarian to help facilitate and ensure clarity …
City of Austin Low-Income Consumer Advisory Task Force Operating Rules January 9, 2015 1. Meetings shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order. 2. Chair and/or Austin Energy staff will notify members of scheduled meetings at least 5 days prior to meeting time. All meetings will also be announced to the public via the City of Austin website at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting. Time certain for meetings will be every first and third Friday with some exceptions. The Task Force may schedule additional meetings at other times and will reconsider the list of meeting dates in March. The list of meeting dates is as follows: January 9, 2015 January 16, 2015 February 6, 2015 February 20, 2015 March 6, 2015 March 27, 2015 April 10, 2015 April 17, 2015 May 1, 2015 May 15, 2015 June 5, 2015 June 19, 2015 July 17, 2015 August 7, 2015 August 21, 2015 September 4, 2015 September 18, 2015 3 The Task Force meetings will be tape recorded and copied and made available to members if requested. 4. Staff shall take meeting notes and make them available to members. 5. A quorum is a majority of Task Force’s current membership. A quorum (five members) must be present to take any official action. 6. Official action must be approved by at least a majority of the members (five members). Official action can only occur on meeting days scheduled in advance and attended by a quorum of members. 7. All Task Force meetings shall include a time of 15 minutes for public input at the beginning of the meeting. However, unless a majority of the Task Force agrees, input from the public will be limited to three minutes per speaker. The Task Force may extend City of Austin Low-Income Consumer Advisory Task Force Operating Rules January 9, 2015 the total 15-minute time period as needed or hold special meetings to obtain more public input as needed. 8. The Chair shall set the agenda of the meetings but must seek input from other Task Force members. At least three members may propose or agree to a Request for Study or Presentation from staff or other third party. Presentations should be limited to 15 minutes- not including questions from Task Force members. 9. Task Force members may themselves request to make a presentation, but must limit their presentation to no more than 10 …
AMEND THE MULTI-FAMILY PROGRAM Recommendation Number _____1 Targeted Underserved Group: Renters Living in Older Multi-Family and Rental Properties Brief Description: Restructure the Multi-family Program to provide a more comprehensive approach to energy efficiency and increase the efficiency of air conditioners in rental properties. The lifecycle of central HVAC equipment is 15 years and energy performance should be recognized for incentives. Time Schedule: Implementation in 2016 Budget impact: Anticipates using funds currently allocated to the Multi-Family program. Community Need: Over half-- 55%--of Austin residents live in rental housing.2 Most housing units –61%--were built before 1990 and 40% were built between 1970 -1989.3 Census data further indicate than households who rent have lower income than those who own their own homes. Approximately 22% of owners have income below $25,000 compared to 33% of renters.4 Approximately 47% of owners have income under $50,000 compared to almost 64% for renters.5 Providing a greater amount of energy efficiency program activity in rental property is highly likely to benefit low and low moderate income customers. Tracking of demographic data for participants is highly encouraged to help determine the distribution of energy efficiency benefits to different income groups. The inability of many renters to pay their utility bills is because of high usage that could be reduced with energy efficiency improvements. These are improvements that make living in the apartment unit more affordable for the tenant and contribute to Austin Energy’s energy efficiency and climate protection goals. The current multi-family program through high rebates (85 to 90% of project costs) to owners of rental properties has been successful in promoting air infiltration measures, duct sealing, insulation, solar screens, pipe wrap, compact fluorescent lighting and low-flow water devices. However, the program does not appear have success in having landlords replace air conditioning 1 Number will be assigned in final report. 2 2014 Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis City of Austin Final Report, July 31, 2014 Prepared for City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, 1000 E 11 St. Austin, TX 78702 by BBC Research an Consulting, 1999 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202-9750 p. 9. 3 Idid., p. 6. 4 U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, S2503 FINANCIAL CHARACTERISTICS, 2009-2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 5 Ibid. units that are the drivers of high bills for many low and low moderate income renter households. A majority of program resources have been allocated to newer larger apartment communities. This …
1 Proposed Recommendation Number _____ Recommendation for Vulnerable Populations Recommendation: A residential low income energy efficiency program should be created to provide window heating and/or cooling units including installation to low income families served by Austin Energy with at least one member: aged 62 or older, disabled, or a child who is six years of age or younger. This program would be implemented through the use of contractor rebates and the provision of energy efficient window cooling and/or heating units purchased in bulk by AE. Targeted Underserved Group: Homeowners and tenants whose household income qualifies for the emergency home repair program provided by the City of Austin Neighborhood Housing & Community Development and who meet the qualifications stated above. Time Schedule: Implement in 2016. Brief Description: Provide emergency heating and/or cooling relief to vulnerable populations through the provision of energy efficiency cooling and/or heating window units. Program Description: This program would be provided in conjunction with the City of Austin’s emergency Home Repair Program which is part of the City of Austin’s Neighborhood Housing & Community Development Client Service’s Programs. Contractors certified by Austin Energy would perform the work. Austin Energy would certify that the window unit(s) is (are) needed before the window unit is installed. Once that determination is made, Austin Energy would provide the window unit(s). After installation, Austin Energy would review the household to ensure the window unit was installed and installed properly. A rebate check issued to the contractor to cover the cost of installation would be provided after the final Austin Energy review. Budget: There are two funding components to this proposed program: 1. One-time funding to establish a contingency reserve to provide payment to the manufacturer-retailer if the guaranteed minimum level of cooling and/or heating appliances are not purchased; and 2. Funding for rebates.
Cost effectiveness test of energy efficiency and renewable incentives for low to moderate income households in homeowner and rental properties: Everyone pays into the Community Benefits Charge on their electric bill from Austin Energy on kWh used. The cost effectiveness test Austin Energy uses to only measures peak kW demand reduction based on the cost of building a new power plant. Other factors should be considered like kWh reduction that increases affordability, Health and Safety that improves the quality of life of a resident through better indoor air quality or reduced risk of fire. Energy efficiency also creates local jobs. The City of Austin Sustainability Office uses a Triple Bottom Line for evaluating purchasing recommendations. The graphic below is from a presentation developed to deliver to Council by Zach Baumer (March 2015): Sustainability Triple Bottom Line Recommendation: The taskforce recommends that the cost test also consider the energy and non-energy benefits not included in current calculations. Economic/ Prosperity Environmental/ Planet Social/ People & Equity Cost of energy (kWh) Employment Industry expansion Energy grid purchases and security (ERCOT energy purchases) Market demand Climate resilience GHG emissions Water use and impact Air quality (including indoor) Land use impacts Affordability Fair distribution of Community Benefit Charge Funds Health impacts Education opportunities Energy access Safety and security Energy security We further recommend that funds in the CAP and free weatherization program be used during the cooler months (September through April) when the work demand for the Austin Energy contractors is at its lowest. This will keep their employees busy thus maximizing the economic benefit of the use of public funds.
Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force Public Information Act Records Retention Texas Open Meetings Act June 19, 2015 Purpose of Presentation •Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force is set to dissolve October 1, 2015, if not sooner •As work of the task force is wrapping up, keep in mind requirements of the Public Information Act and records retention •Refresher on requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act Purpose of Presentation •This presentation is intended to be a general overview •For individual questions, please contact me for a one-on-one conversation –Cindy Tom –Assistant City Attorney –(512) 974-3042 –cynthia.tom@austintexas.gov What Is The Public Information Act? The Public Information Act is a Texas statute that gives the public the right to ask for government information. This body is subject to the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). What does PIA Compliance Require? The Public Information Act requires that the city and its officials provide certain documents regarding city business upon written request. Documents may be paper or electronic format. Any email – including city business on your personal email account – or social media communication regarding city business is subject to the Public Information Act. 5 Records Retention Requirements •Records retention guidelines let us know when it is ok to dispose of a document. •Please allow city staff to determine whether you may dispose of a document. 6 What is the Texas Open Meetings Act? The Texas Open Meetings Act is a Texas statute that provides for public access to meetings of governmental bodies. This body is subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act (Res. No. 20140828-158; City Code 2-1-3(D)). What does TOMA Compliance Require? Meeting notice (agenda) must be posted, and… –72-hour notice –Must include subject of what will be discussed –General citizen communication cannot be discussed 8 What does TOMA Compliance Require? Discussions of official business by a quorum or more must occur in public: –Exchanges by email and social media can constitute an inappropriate discussion of official business –Do not “reply all” to emails sent to entire panel –Walking quorums –Working groups must be made up of less than a quorum –Official business does not include ceremonies/social events 9 Questions? Thank you very much for your service!
+ URBAN FORESTRY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 17, 2015, - 5:30 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Austin, Texas URBAN FORESTRY BOARD MEMBERS: APPOINTMENT : Christopher Kite, Chair Council Member Laura Morrison, Place 4 Peggy Maceo (Vice-Chair) Council Member Kathie Tovo, Place 3 Len Newsom Council Member Bill Spelman, Place 5 Patrick Brewer Mayor Lee Leffingwell Nicholas Classen Mayor Pro-Tem Sheryl Cole, Place 6 Ryan Fleming Council Member Mike Martinez, Place 2 Keith Brown Council Member Chris Riley, Place 1 URBAN FORESTRY EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS : Michael Embesi, City Arborist, Development Services Department Pat Fuller, Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department – Director Designee Vacant, Urban Forester, Development Services Department John Clement, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department – Director Designee AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Board meeting of May 20, 2015. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first 4 (four) speakers signed up prior to the calling of the meeting to order are allowed a three-minute allotment each to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS E. URBAN FORESTER EXECUTIVE LIAISON REPORT – Emily King, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department, including: • Austin Urban Forest Plan Implementation Monthly Update F. ACTION ITEM BRIEFINGS 1. Recommendations to Council for allocation of resources to implement Austin’s Urban Forest Plan. Presenter: Chris Kite, Urban Forestry Board Chair. 2. Draft Cemetery Master Plan – Update of annual levels of funding for full implementation of recommendations. Presenter: Lara Schuman, Urban Forestry Program Manager, Parks and Recreation Department. G. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to Council for allocation of resources to implement Austin’s Urban Forest Plan. Presenter: Board Chair Chris Kite 2. Discussion and possible action on update of annual levels of funding for full implementation of Cemetery Master Plan recommendations. Presenter: Board Chair Chris Kite H. BRIEFINGS – 10 Minute Limit For Each Briefing 1. Austin Energy Line Clearance Monthly Update – May 2015. Ray Henning, Line Clearance Superintendent, Austin Energy. 2. City Arborist Program Tree Preservation and Replenishment Monthly Update May 2015. Presenter: Keith Mars, Environmental Program Coordinator, City Arborist Office, Development Services Department. 3. City Arborist Program Heritage Tree Report – May 2015. Presenter: Keith Mars, Environmental Program Coordinator, City Arborist Office, Development Services Department. 4. Public Works Department Urban Forestry Program Monthly Update. Presenter: Rob Grotty, Urban Forestry Program …
MAY '15APR '15MAR '15FEB '15JAN '15DEC '14NOV '14OCT '14SEP '14AUG '14JUL '14JUN '1412-Month TOTALTree Permits12762772161812141671692902282472432492,757Native Inches Removed6843965007761972764884625905044584895,819Inches Mitigated187165350374123146932002664762074153,001Percentage Mitigated27%42%70%48%62%53%19%43%45%94%45%85%52%Poor Condition or High Risk4,3053,1522,8951,7341,6211,3581,6073,5183,6193,0153,4713,50233,797Tree Permits2181612131112142120403337247Trees PlantedNRNR553,9755,40044257123NRNRNRNR9,854Trees Removed36284816150161617418823440Native Protected Removed367220120000020Inches Removed38131,035898765602198243177421971102835,363Trees DistributedNR54102771310131311046090942Site Plans Approved4243116161828182429191718258Caliper Inches Surveyed15,73618,4729,0569,93814,78511,23227,9655,39030,9586,4553,137117153,240Caliper Inches Preserved8,68510,7876,8625,1147,3647,48512,4603,64118,3254,4848903586,132Percentage Preserved55%58%76%51%50%67%45%68%59%69%28%30%56%Native Inches Removed6762.57361.5179045327,3983,74715,5051,74912,6331,9712,2478265,778Inches Planted/Mitigated3,3553,2185741,5072,3631,8616,8271,0665,0611,7731,3058228,991Percentage Replanted50%44%32%33%32%50%44%61%40%90%58%100%44%Subdivisions Approved16131417149331820122416206Funds ReceivedNR$38,152$238,261$22,000$154,150$25,400$69,238$80,498$66,945$39,980$88,650$25,100$848,374Fund Amount (Per Inch)NR1911,191110771127346402335200443126$4,242Grants Appropriated$3,470$30,000$0$782$0$0$15,000$6,000$0$12,000$0$610$67,862City Arborists (5)4525885364023103113354894374804675535,360Oak Wilt Arborist (1)586723122014132742295439398Environmental Inspectors (12)NR4,0774,4375,4084,4664,3003,9873,9983,1893,3613,5893,87644,688Landscape Inspectors (2)NR3570384537424429614743491General Permit Inspectors (4)NR955711751668190157411401381441374,0321 - Tree Ordinance Review Applications (mostly protected size trees on proposed single family construction lots or protected size trees which are diseased/dying)17-Jun-152 - High-risk trees within parks and right-of-ways3 - Trees with trunks greater than 8" in diameter (dead and invasive species not included)4 - Site Plan Corrections, Extensions, and Boat Docks not includedNR - Not ReportedMonthly Report"May 2015"InspectionsUrban Forest Replenishment FundPermitting and ReplenishmentTree PermitsPublic PropertyElectric UtilityCommercial Site Plans
+ URBAN FORESTRY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 5:30 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Austin, Texas Board Members in Attendance: Board Chair Chris Kite, Board Vice-Chair Peggy Maceo, Board Members Patrick Brewer, Nick Classen, Ryan Fleming, Len Newsom, Keith Brown. Staff in Attendance: Parks and Recreation Department Lara Schuman, Urban Forestry Program Manager Development Services Department Michael Embesi, City Arborist Emily King, Environmental Program Coordinator, Urban Forestry Lynn Tozser, Program Specialist, UFB Liaison Public Works Department Rob Grotty, Urban Forestry Program Manager Austin Energy Ray Henning, Line Clearance Supervisor MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2015 A. CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Kite called the meeting to order at 5:42 pm. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Board meeting of April 15, 2015. Motion made by Board Member Newsom, Seconded by Board Member Brewer to approve the meeting minutes of April 15, 2015. Approved by Board Chair Kite, Board Vice-Chair Maceo, and Board Members Brewer, Classen, Newsom and Brown. Board Member Fleming abstained. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first 4 (four) speakers signed up prior to the calling of the meeting to order are allowed a three-minute allotment each to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Sharon Blythe F2-G2: Approve cemetery plan with conditions as explained by Nick Classen. Sharon Blythe F4: Comments on PARD 2016 budget. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Urban Forestry Work Day program for mulching and pruning is planned for Thursday, May 28th at Butler Park. • Forester position available in PARD. • Several staff members will be attending a Certified Arborist Prep Course which is being offered by PARD Urban Forestry, Tree Folks, and the Texas A&M Forest Service. • Development Services Urban Forestry employee, Alan Halter, has submitted a Public Land Classification project proposal to the ATX Hack 4 Change Hackathon event for June 5-7. • The State legislative bill filing deadline has passed with no specific anti-tree bills coming out of committee. E. URBAN FORESTER EXECUTIVE LIAISON REPORT – Emily King, Interim Urban Forester, Development Services Department, including: • Austin Urban Forest Plan Implementation Monthly Update. Presentation given. F. ACTION ITEM BRIEFINGS 1. Urban Forestry Board 2014 Annual Internal Review. Presenter: Chris Kite, Urban Forestry Board Chair. Presentation given. 2. Draft Cemetery Master Plan - Presenter: Kim McKnight, Project Coordinator, Park Planning and Design Unit, Parks and Recreation Department (PARD). Additional information provided by Lara …
06-17-2015 DRAFT Resolution Austin Urban Forest Plan: A Master Plan for Public Property Re: City Manager Support for Implementation of Austin Urban Forest Plan WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Code, sections § 6-3 and ordinances 031023-10 and 031211-11, mandate the establishment of the Comprehensive Urban Forest Plan, hereinafter referred to as the Austin Urban Forest Plan. WHEREAS, the development of the Austin Urban Forest Plan is a direct implementation of ImagineAustin via the Green Infrastructure Priority Program and 20 Priority Actions, including Priority Action CE A22 which directs the City to create an urban forest plan. WHEREAS, in February 2011 the Urban Forestry Board and City Urban Forester initiated the development of the Austin Urban Forest Plan. WHEREAS, Austin’s City Council adopted the Austin Urban Forest Plan: A Master Plan for Public Property on March 6th, 2014. WHEREAS, the functions of the City Urban Forester have recently been transferred from the Parks and Recreation Department to the Development Services Department. WHEREAS, implementation of the Austin Urban Forest Plan has been initiated by the City Urban Forester with an eighteen-month timeline to develop operational plans for fourteen departments involved with managing and regulating public lands. WHEREAS, it is critical that the following key departments are involved in the development of these Departmental Operational Plans: Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Development Services, Austin Water Utility, Austin Transportation, Austin Energy, and Watershed Protection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: City Council directs the City Manager to delineate clear lines of responsibility within the Development Services Department so that the City Urban Forester has the necessary authority to fully implement the Austin Urban Forest Plan as adopted by the City Council. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: City Council directs the City Manager to identify executive level sponsors and direct staff from the following key departments to work with the City Urban Forester to implement the Austin Urban Forest Plan: Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Development Services, Austin Water Utility, Austin Transportation, Austin Energy, and Watershed Protection.
+ URBAN FORESTRY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 17, 2015 - 5:30 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Austin, Texas Board Members in Attendance: Board Chair Chris Kite, Board Vice-Chair Peggy Maceo, Board Members Nick Classen, Ryan Fleming and Len Newsom. Board Members Patrick Brewer and Keith Brown absent. Staff in Attendance: Parks and Recreation Department Lara Schuman, Urban Forestry Program Manager Development Services Department Keith Mars, Environmental Program Coordinator, City Arborist Program Emily King, Environmental Program Coordinator, Urban Forestry Lynn Tozser, Program Specialist, UFB Liaison Public Works Department Rob Grotty, Urban Forestry Program Manager Austin Energy Ray Henning, Line Clearance Supervisor MEETING MINUTES JUNE 17, 2015 A. CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Kite called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Board meeting of May 20, 2015. Motion made by Board Member Newsom, seconded by Board Member Fleming. Approved by Board Chair Kite, Board Vice Chair Maceo and Board Members Classen, Fleming and Newsom. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first 4 (four) speakers signed up prior to the calling of the meeting to order are allowed a three-minute allotment each to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. None. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Urban Forestry Manager position within the Development Services Department has been posted. PARD maintenance crews have been temporarily reassigned to the Resource Recovery Department to assist with cleanup of debris from the Memorial Day flood. The legal department has permitted PARD to start repair to damages to Zilker Park from the Cyclo-Cross event. C3 Presents has contributed $100,000 to PARD to put towards mitigation of use at Zilker Park. E. URBAN FORESTER EXECUTIVE LIAISON REPORT – Emily King, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department, including: Austin Urban Forest Plan Implementation Monthly Update. Presentation given. F. ACTION ITEM BRIEFINGS 1. Recommendations to Council for allocation of resources to implement Austin’s Urban Forest Plan. Presenter: Chris Kite, Urban Forestry Board Chair. Presentation given. 2. Draft Cemetery Master Plan – Update of annual levels of funding for full implementation of recommendations. Presenter: Lara Schuman, Urban Forestry Program Manager, Parks and Recreation Department. Presentation given. G. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to Council for allocation of resources to implement Austin’s Urban Forest Plan. Presenter: Board Chair Chris Kite. Motion made by Board Member Newsom, seconded by …
