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 …
Staff Liaison: Michael Simmons-Smith - 974-1225 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 access, and if sign language interpreters or alternative formats are required, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date. WATERFRONT PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD JUNE 8, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M. ***BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM – CITY HALL*** 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78703 AGENDA Brooke Bailey, Chair Andy Hutton Eric Schultz, Vice-Chair Laura Toups Cory Walton Dean Rindy Tyler Zickert CALL TO ORDER A. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the meeting will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the March 9, 2015 regularly-scheduled meeting and the May 11, 2015 regularly-scheduled meeting. C. NEW BUSINESS 1. Consider and recommend to City Council to authorize award, negotiation, and execution of a contract with ECONorthwest to provide consulting services for the South Central Waterfront Area Plan Initiative. Staff: Alan Holt, Planning & Development Review Department and Terry Nicholson, Purchasing Department. 2. Update, discussion and possible action on the South Central Waterfront Area Plan Initiative. Staff: Alan Holt, Planning & Development Review Department. ADJOURNMENT
+ WATERFRONT PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD JUNE 8, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M. ***BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM – CITY HALL*** 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78703 MEETING MINUTES Brooke Bailey, Chair Andy Hutton Eric Schultz, Vice-Chair - ABSENT Laura Toups Cory Walton Dean Rindy Tyler Zickert CALL TO ORDER A. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the meeting will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. There were no citizen communications. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the March 9, 2015 and the May 11, 2015 regularly-scheduled meetings. The minutes for the May 11, 2015 meeting were approved on a motion from Mr. Hutton and a second from Mr. Tyler by a vote of 6-0-1 with Vice-Chair Schultz absent. The March 9, 2015 meeting minutes had been previously approved and posted. C. NEW BUSINESS 1. Consider and recommend to City Council to authorize award, negotiation, and execution of a contract with ECONorthwest to provide consulting services for the South Central Waterfront Area Plan Initiative. Staff: Alan Holt, Planning & Development Review Department and Terry Nicholson, Purchasing Department. The Board to recommend this action to City Council on a motion by Mr. Walton and a second by Mr. Rindy. The vote was 6-0-1 to recommend with Vice-Chair Schultz absent. 2. Update, discussion and possible action on the South Central Waterfront Area Plan Initiative. Staff: Alan Holt, Planning & Development Review Department. The Board voted 6-0-1 (with Vice-Chair Schultz absent) to approve a resolution supporting appointment of any willing current WPAB members to a proposed task force that would oversee development and function of the South Central Waterfront Area Plan Initiative. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Bailey adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT/SIGN REVIEW BOARD June 8, 2015 5:30pm CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS ___ Jeff Jack (Chair) ___Melissa Hawthorne (Vice Chair) ___Cathy French (SRB only) ___Vincent Harding ___Will Schnier (Alternate) ___Sallie Burchett ___Stuart Hampton (Alternate) ___Michael Von Ohlen ___Bryan King ___Ricardo De Camps AGENDA EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Board of Adjustment/Sign Review Board will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on this agenda. The Board of Adjustment/Sign Review Board may also announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, to receive advice from Legal Counsel regarding any other item on this agenda. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 A APPROVAL OF MINUTES A-1 May 11, 2015 B. SIGN REVIEW BOARD RECONSIDERATIONS NONE C. SIGN REVIEW BOARD PREVIOUS POSTPONEMENTS NONE D. SIGN REVIEW BOARD NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS D-1 C16-2015-0007 Jim Bennett for Inayat Fidai 9001 Cameron Road The applicant has requested a variance to: A. Section 25-10-124 (B) (1) (b) (Scenic Roadway Sign District Regulations) to increase the sign area from 64 square feet (required/permitted) to 144 square feet (requested); and to B. Section 25-10-124 (B) (2) (Scenic Roadway Sign District Regulations) to increase the sign height from 12 feet (required/permitted) to 30 feet (requested); and to C. Section 25-10-124 (F) (Scenic Roadway Sign District Regulations) to increase areas of internal illumination from individual letters only (required/permitted) to also include logo (requested) in order to add freestanding signage at this lot in a “CS”, General Commercial Services zoning district and Scenic Roadway Sign District. D-2 C16-2015-0008 Mark Rocke for David Buddemeyer 8901 Business Park Drive The applicant has requested a variance to Section 25-10-123 (B) (3) (a) (Expressway Corridor Sign District Regulations) to exceed the sign height from 35 feet (required/permitted) to 50 feet (requested) in order to construct a new freestanding sign in a “CS” – General Commercial Services zoning district within an Expressway Corridor Sign District. D-3 C15-2015-0009 Michele Haussmann for Bryan Barry 1824 West Slaughter Lane The applicant has requested a variance to Section 25-10-124 (B) (2) (Scenic Roadway Sign District Regulations) to increase the height of signs permitted from 12 feet (required/permitted) to 21 feet (requested) in order to add a freestanding sign in a “GR-CO”, Community Commercial – Conditional Overlay zoning district and Scenic Roadway …
