ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C14-2024-0001 DISTRICT: 7 ADDRESS: 10911 Stonelake Boulevard ZONING FROM: LI TO: MF-6 SITE AREA: 10.01 acres PROPERTY OWNER: 10911 Stonelake GP, LLC (Donald J. Reese) AGENT: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Michael Whellan) CASE MANAGER: Sherri Sirwaitis (512-974-3057, sherri.sirwaitis@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMEDATION: Staff recommends MF-6, Multifamily Residence-Highest Density District, zoning. ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: March 19, 2024 CITY COUNCIL ACTION: ORDINANCE NUMBER: 1 of 1204 C14-2024-0001 - 10911 Stonelake Boulevard; District 7 C14-2024-0001 ISSUES: N/A CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: 2 The site under consideration is a vacant soccer field that is zoned LI. To the north, south, east and west there are IP and LI zoned lots that are developed with office and office/warehouse uses. Further to the south, across W. Braker Lane, there is P zoned land that is undeveloped. The applicant is requesting MF-6 zoning to construct approximately 400 multifamily units on the property (please see Applicant’s Request Letter – Exhibit C). The staff supports the applicant’s request for MF-6, Multifamily Residence-Highest Density district, zoning. The property meets the intent of the district as it is located along Braker Lane/Blue Goose Corridor and is adjacent to North Burnet/Gateway Station. There are transportation services in this area as there is a Capital Metro bus route to the east along the Mopac Expressway frontage road and to the south along W. Braker Lane. In addition, there is an Urban Trail to the east (Northern Walnut Creek Trail to Stonelake Connector) and to the south (Jollyville Road to Metric Boulevard and W Braker Lane to Stonelake Boulevard) providing for pedestrian connectivity. BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION: 1. The proposed zoning should be consistent with the purpose statement of the district sought. Multifamily Residence (Highest Density) district is intended to accommodate multifamily and group residential use. This district is appropriate for highest density housing in centrally located areas near supporting transportation and commercial facilities, in areas adjoining downtown Austin and major institutional or employment centers, and in other selected areas where highest density multifamily use is desirable. The property in question is located along Braker Lane/Blue Goose Corridor as designated in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan and it is adjacent to North Burnet/Gateway Station. It is located adjacent to the North Burnet/Gateway area to the south and east and to the University of Texas JJ Pickle West campus to the south. 2. The proposed zoning should promote consistency and …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C14-2024-0003 (13614 Metric) DISTRICT: 7 ADDRESS: 13614 Metric Boulevard ZONING FROM: GO TO: GO-MU SITE AREA: 8.7549 acres (381,361.49 sq. ft.) PROPERTY OWNER: Woodforest National Bank (Tom Aderhold) APPLICANT/AGENT: Drenner Group PC (Amanda Swor) CASE MANAGER: Sherri Sirwaitis (512-974-3057, sherri.sirwaitis@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMEDATION: Staff recommends GO-MU, General Office-Mixed Use Combining District, zoning. ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: March 19, 2024 CITY COUNCIL ACTION: ORDINANCE NUMBER: 1 of 1205 C14-2024-0003 - 13614 Metric C14-2024-0003 2 ISSUES: N/A CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The property in question is currently a moderately vegetated undeveloped tract of land located at the southwest intersection of West Howard Lane and Metric Boulevard. The lots to the north, across W. Howard Lane, are developed with office and warehouses that are part of a commercial/industrial park. The land to the east is undeveloped and contains floodplain. To the south and west there is a single family residential neighborhood (The Ridge at Scofield). The applicant is asking to rezone the property to add a Mixed Use (MU) overlay to develop approximately 238 multifamily units. The staff supports the rezoning request because the site meets the intent of the GO-MU district as it is located along a designated activity corridor. The property can serve community and city-wide needs as it fronts onto and takes access to two level 3/arterial roadways, West Howard Lane and Metric Boulevard. The site under consideration is adjacent to commercial uses to the north, across Howard Lane, and to residential uses to the south and west. The proposed zoning will provide for a transition in the intensity of uses from the commercial uses developed in the county to the north to the SF-6/MF-3 zoning and residential developments to the south and west. The addition of the MU combining district will permit the applicant to develop new residential uses on this site to provide for additional housing opportunities in this area of the city in accordance with the goals of the adopted Strategic Housing Blueprint. The applicant agrees with the staff recommendation. BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION: 1. The proposed zoning should be consistent with the purpose statement of the district sought. General office (GO) district is the designation for an office or commercial use that serves community and city-wide needs. A building in a GO district may contain one or more different uses. Mixed Use combining district is intended for combination with selected base …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C14-2023-0113 (Parmer Crossing - Unit # 05B) DISTRICT: 7 ADDRESS: 2500 West Parmer Lane, Unit # 05B ZONING FROM: GR TO: CS-1 SITE AREA: 1,239 sq. ft. PROPERTY OWNER: Brixmor Holdings 12 SPE, LLC APPLICANT: DB Liquor Parmer LLC (Vipul Patel) AGENT: Dorsett Johnson LLP (S. Joseph Modric, Esq.) CASE MANAGER: Sherri Sirwaitis (512-974-3057, sherri.sirwaitis@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMEDATION: Staff recommends CS-1-CO, Commercial-Liquor Sales-Conditional Overlay Combining District, zoning. The conditional overlay will prohibit Adult Oriented uses and Cocktail Lounge use on the property. ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: November 21, 2023: Approved staff' recommendation of CS-1-CO zoning by consent (9-0, S. Boone-off the dais); B. Greenberg-1st, L. Stern-2nd. March 19, 2024 CITY COUNCIL ACTION: January 18, 2024: Postponed to March 7, 2024 at the applicant's request (11-0); Z. Qadri-1st, P. Ellis-2nd. March 7, 2024: Postponed to April 18, 2024 at the staff's request (11-0). April 18, 2024 ORDINANCE NUMBER: 1 of 1506 C14-2023-0113 - Parmer Crossing - Unit # 05B; District 7 C14-2023-0113 ISSUES: 2 While preparing this case for the City Council's consideration, the staff discovered that the address in the zoning application did not match the legal description for the property. After numerous conversations with the applicant, the applicant realized that they had submitted an incorrect legal description and had applied to rezone the wrong suite within the Parmer Crossing Shopping Center. On February 15, 2024, the applicant amended their zoning application and provided an updated metes and bounds description to identify the correct unit (please see the Updated Survey and Location Map - Exhibit C). Therefore, the staff has re-notified the case, updated the zoning case report and is bringing the case back before the Zoning and Platting Commission for reconsideration. CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The property in question is a vacant pad site that is within a large commercial center located at the northeast intersection of West Parmer Lane and the northbound feeder of the North Mopac Expressway. The site is surrounded by commercial zoning and restaurant, retail and office uses to the north, south, east and west. The applicant is requesting CS-1 zoning to allow for a liquor sales (liquor store) use on the property. The staff recommends CS-1, Commercial-Liquor Sales District, zoning. The property meets the intent of the Commercial-Liquor Sales District as it is located within an existing retail center at the southeast intersection of two major arterial roadways. …
ZONING & PLATTING COMMISSION AGENDA Tuesday, March 19, 2024 The Zoning and Platting Commission will convene at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX. Some members of the Zoning and Platting Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Scott Boone (District 1) Alejandra Flores (District 5) William D. Floyd (Mayor) David Fouts (District 2) Kendra Garrett (District 9) Betsy Greenberg - Vice-Chair (District 6) Ryan Puzycki (District 7) Hank Smith – Chair (District 8) Lonny Stern (District 3) Carrie Thompson – Secretary (District 10) District 4 - Vacant EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Zoning & Platting Commission 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 commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the speaker registration deadline will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Attorney: AJ Urteaga, 512-974-2386 Commission Liaison: Andrew Rivera, 512-974-6508 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes of the Zoning and Platting Commission regular meeting on March 5, 2024. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Whats Up Texas LP Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: C14-2023-0126 - Spicewood Springs Residential; District 10 4920 Spicewood Springs Road, Bull Creek Drenner Group (Amanda Swor) LO-CO to MF-3-CO Recommended Sherri Sirwaitis, 512-974-3057, sherri.sirwaitis@austintexas.gov Planning Department C14-2023-0095 - 7302 & 7400 Decker Lane; District 1 7302 and 7400 Decker Lane, Decker and Elm Creek Watersheds 3. Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Cynthia Padilla-Gonzales and Jose Gonzales Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Drenner Group (Leah Bojo) SF-2 to GR-MU Staff Recommendation is GR-MU-CO Jonathan Tomko, 512-974-1057, jonathan.tomko@austintexas.gov Planning Department 4. Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: C14-2024-0001 - 10911 Stonelake Boulevard; District 7 10911 Stonelake Boulevard, Walnut Creek 10911 Stonelake GP, LLC (Donald J. Reese) Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Michael Whellan) LI to MF-6 Recommended Sherri Sirwaitis, 512-974-3057, sherri.sirwaitis@austintexas.gov Planning Department C14-2024-0003 - 13614 Metric; District 7 13614 Metric Boulevard, Walnut Creek 5. Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Woodforest National Bank (Tom Aderhold) Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Drenner Group PC (Amanda Swor) …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION March 19, 2024 6:00 p.m. Austin Energy Headquarters; 1st Floor; Shudde Fath Conference Room 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, Texas 78723 Some members of the Resource Management Commission maybe participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register contact Natasha Goodwin, at Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com or 512-322-6505. AGENDA Members: Louis Stone, Chair Paul Robbins, Vice Chair Melissa Carugati Charlotte Davis Trey Farmer GeNell Gary Shane Johnson Dino Sasaridis CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chelsey Scaffidi Alison Silverstein Vacant PUBLIC 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 regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. Approve the minutes of the Resource Management Commission Regular Meeting on APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 20, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approving issuance of a capacity-based incentive to the City of Sunset Valley, for installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 3203 and 3207 Jones Road, Sunset Valley, TX, 78745, in an amount not to exceed $119,899. 3. Approve a recommendation regarding the creation of a pilot program of multifamily supportive housing projects and assist with the Passive House certification. 4. Approve a recommendation on repurposing the GreenChoice Program and increasing 5. Approve a budget recommendation to conduct outreach and engagement for City of 6. Approve a recommendation regarding the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and dispatchable renewable energy. Austin sustainability incentives. Climate Protection Plan to 2035. 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 Natasha Goodwin at Austin Energy, at (512) 322-6505 or email Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Resource Management Commission, please contact Natasha Goodwin at Austin Energy, at 512-322- 6505 or email Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com . STAFF BRIEFINGS 7. Staff briefing …
..Title Posting Language Approve issuance of a capacity-based incentive to the City of Sunset Valley, for installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 3203 and 3207 Jones Road, Sunset Valley, TX, 78745, in an amount not to exceed $119,899. ..De Lead Department Austin Energy Prior Council Action: Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $119,899 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. For More Information: Amy Everhart, Director Local Government Issues (512) 322-6087; Tim Harvey, Customer Renewable Solutions Manager (512) 482-5386. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 18, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. March 19, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Energy requests approval to issue these capacity-based incentives (CBI) to the Customer for the installation of solar electric systems at their facilities to produce renewable energy for on-site consumption. The table below provides a summary of the combined system sizes, costs, proposed incentives, and environmental benefits.: Solar Systems Details* Total System Size (kW-DC) Total System Size (kW-AC) Annual Estimated Production (kWh) Total System Cost ($) Total Incentive ($) Percent of Cost Covered Reduction of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in tons Reduction of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) in pounds Reduction of Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) in pounds 133 111 173,366 $243,980 $119,988 49% 77 87 121 Environmental Benefits** and Emission Reduction Equivalencies*** Equivalency of Vehicle Miles Driven Equivalency of Cars on Austin Roadways Equivalency of Trees Planted Equivalency of Forest Acreage Added *All solar equipment meets Austin Energy program requirements ** Environmental Benefits based on the US Energy Information Association’s state-wide electricity profile *** According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator 179,072 15.5 1,155 83.3 The City of Sunset Valley is a city within Travis County, and within the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of Austin, Texas. The city of Austin, Texas surrounds the City of Sunset Valley on all sides. The systems are to be installed on the police department and the public works department buildings, offsetting 112% and 108% of the buildings’ historic consumption, respectively. According to the updated Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, approved by Austin City Council in March 2020, “Austin Energy will achieve a total of 375 MW of local solar capacity by the end of 2030, of which 200 MW will be customer-sited (when including both in-front-of-meter and behind- the …
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Agenda: April 18, 2024 Sponsor: MPT Pool, District 7 Co-Sponsors: RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, the City of Austin recognizes the critical need for sustainable and affordable housing solutions to address the diverse housing challenges faced by our community; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin, in alignment with its commitment to climate action, has established a comprehensive Climate Equity Plan aimed at addressing environmental and social inequities in the community; and WHEREAS, the City’s Climate Equity Plan includes a goal of reaching net- zero GHG emissions by 2040 and a goal of achieving net-zero carbon for new buildings and reducing emissions by 25% for existing buildings by 2040; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has also developed a robust Climate Resilience Action Plan, outlining strategies to enhance the resilience of the community in the face of climate change impacts; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin seeks to encourage and support the development of affordable housing projects that adhere to the highest standards of energy efficiency, sustainability, and equity; WHEREAS, passive houses are the world's most energy-efficient standard and are designed so that most of the air exchange with the exterior is done by controlled ventilation through a heat exchanger to minimize heat loss; and Page 1 of 4 WHEREAS, passive building design can help keep a building cool in hot and humid climates through several strategies including shading, insulation, ventilation, orientation, and shape; and WHEREAS, passive house design saves significantly on heating and cooling compared to traditional buildings, and over 25% compared to average new builds which help reduce energy costs and create a smaller carbon footprint; and WHEREAS, in 2009, Vancouver took an important first step toward their goal of becoming the greenest city in the world, as the first jurisdiction in North America to go beyond green building codes and use architecture itself through passive design to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs); and WHEREAS, starting in 2024, the City of Boston adopted a set of sustainability standards that required every new multifamily building to meet passive building requirements, WHEREAS, in the past years New York City, Chicago, and several states including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut have also instituted passive building requirements; and WHEREAS, although no southern state or city has adopted passive building standards to date, a study …
Agenda: April 18, 2024 Sponsor: CM Pool, District 7 Co-Sponsors: Projects Subject: Adoption of a Passive House Challenge Program for Affordable Housing RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, the City of Austin recognizes the critical need for sustainable and affordable housing solutions to address the diverse housing challenges faced by our community; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin, in alignment with its commitment to climate action, has established a comprehensive Climate Equity Plan aimed at addressing environmental and social inequities in the community; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has also developed a robust Climate Resilience Action Plan, outlining strategies to enhance the resilience of the community in the face of climate change impacts; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin seeks to encourage and support the development of affordable housing projects that adhere to the highest standards of energy efficiency, sustainability, and equity; WHEREAS, sustainable building practices contribute significantly to energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and long-term affordability; and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Page 1 of 3 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 WHEREAS, innovative programs such as the Passive House Design Challenge, as demonstrated by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, have successfully incentivized and promoted the construction of energy-efficient and affordable housing units within Massachusetts; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF AUSTIN: The City Council directs the City Manager to explore the cost and benefits of a passive house pilot program that includes the following potential goals: 1. Study the potential for a pilot program: Convene a group of subject matter experts and community advocates working with utility professionals in the Green Building space to study the potential for a pilot program which includes comparing the established program in Massachusetts to the Austin climate, as well as modifications that may need to be made to have a potentially successful pilot in Austin. 2. Program Details: a. Affordable housing projects that certify with PHIUS may be eligible for financial incentives based on budgetary approval and availability. Projects may be required to share construction cost data, both hard and soft, and post-occupancy energy data. 3. Reporting and Evaluation: If implemented as a pilot, the appropriate city department shall provide regular reports to the …
Resource Management Commission Resolution to Repurpose GreenChoice Revenues and Increase Dispatchable Renewable Energy DRAFT WHEREAS, the City of Austin aspires to run its municipal electric utility, Austin Energy, completely with carbon-free electricity by 2035; and WHEREAS, a grid based largely on carbon-free energy cannot be realistically accomplished in Texas without energy storage or dispatchable renewable energy sources; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy has done very little to date to adopt energy storage or dispatchable energy into its future plans; and WHEREAS, GreenChoice, a program originally designed to enhance adoption of renewable energy by charging customers a different rate, is no longer necessary to increase Austin’s use of renewable energy; and WHEREAS, GreenChoice, when properly operating, collects about $7 million in increased revenues that can be repurposed to help transition Austin Energy to a completely carbon-free utility; and WHEREAS, GreenChoice funds can be leveraged with other funding in the public and private sector to magnify its spending power; THEN BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission advise the Austin City Council to repurpose revenues from Austin Energy’s GreenChoice program, leveraging the program’s revenue with grants and investments from other governments and non-profits, public and private electric utilities, and the private sector to fund energy storage and dispatchable renewables; and AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Commission recommend that Council direct Austin Energy to explore other strategies and funding sources as well as GreenChoice revenues in furtherance of the goal of adding more renewable dispatchability to its system.
Resource Management Commission RECOMMENDATION 20240319-XX Date: Subject: March 19, 2024 FY 2025 Budget Recommendations Outreach and Engagement for Sustainability Incentives: The City of Austin has numerous sustainability incentive programs aligned with the goals of the Climate Equity Plan. However, many of these programs are underutilized, especially among low-income households. Additional community outreach by trusted organizations can increase the effectiveness of these programs. The Resource Management Commission recommends that $320,000 be allocated to the Office of Sustainability for: a. A Community Engagement Specialist (1 FTE) to coordinate community outreach and partnership activities associated with promoting the full suite of City of Austin sustainability incentives (i.e., home weatherization and repair, water conservation, rainwater collection, landscape and green infrastructure programs), with a focus on building relationships with low-income communities, communities of color, and related organizations and service providers. (est. $120,000). b. $200,000 for grants, contracts, and stipends for community leaders and community-based organizations to do direct outreach to promote sustainability incentive programs in targeted Austin communities, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission DRAFT Resolution 20240319-XX on Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worsen and is causing harm to the Austin community. Immediately reducing greenhouse emissions is essential; and WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan established a goal for the Austin community to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 75 percent reduction by 2030; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 established that Austin Energy would achieve 100% carbon-free energy by 2035 and that Austin Energy would no longer invest in fossil fuel resources; and WHEREAS, in December 2022, the Austin City Council adopted Resolution 20221201- 040, which directed Austin Energy to collaborate with the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) to update the 2030 Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan; and WHEREAS, the electric market and federal incentives have changed significantly since the last update, and the financial viability of battery storage (as evidenced by widespread investment within the ERCOT market), as well as opportunities to improve energy efficiency and demand response programs and increase deployment of local solar make a transition to clean energy possible; and WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group consisted of 16 energy experts and community members and met 14 times between September 2023 and January 2024 to learn about and discuss a wide variety of energy topics; and WHEREAS, the existing Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 includes a goal to achieve carbon-free generation by 2035, which implies that Austin Energy’s gas-burning generation would be shut down, but the plan does not include details on how to fully replace those resources; and WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group identifies a robust suite of clean energy resources that can be used to allow Austin Energy to achieve a full transition away from fossil fuels and other polluting resources, while maintaining reliability and affordability; WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Group could benefit from further refinement and input from Austin Energy; and WHEREAS, full the implementation of strategies to enable the transition to clean energy takes time, so moving from planning to implementation in a timely manner is important; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s mission is to deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED …
Austin Climate Equity Plan Phillip Duran, Sr Climate Analyst March 2024 1 Austin Climate Equity Plan Overview • How the Climate Equity Plan was developed • What’s in the Plan • Where we are now 2 3 Why lead with Equity in Climate? • Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate hazards Experience climate shocks on top of existing economic stressors • Have less resources to bounce back from event Suffer long-term impacts to mental and physical health • • Plan Development Process Diverse participation • • Community ownership approach • Mandatory Equity training Joint Sustainability Committee Steering Committee Climate and Environment Leadership Team Transportation Electrification Transportation and Land Use Sustainable Buildings Food and Product Consumption Natural Systems Staff + Stakeholder Advisory Groups 5 Community Climate Ambassadors 2020-2021 Cohort • 50% African American/Black • 25% Latino/Hispanic • 8% Asian • 8% Pacific Islander • 8% Two or more races • Over 50% under 24 years old • Over 75% female Participating Stakeholder Organizations 7 What’s in the Plan? 8 Climate Equity Plan Overview Adopted by City Council in September 2021 Net-zero by 2040 5 Sections - Sustainable Buildings - Transportation Electrification - Transportation and Land Use - Food and Product Consumption - Natural Systems 17 Goals – To be accomplished by 2030 to keep on track 75 Strategies - Progress in next 5 years Equity Throughout, particularly in Strategies • • • Prioritize incentives + target communications towards low-income & communities of color Just transition to green jobs for new industries & technology Prioritize health & other benefits 9 Climate Equity Plan Summary 17 Goals What needs to be accomplished by 2030 to keep us on track 75 Strategies What should be implemented in the next 5 years to make progress 10 Austin is a National Leader in Climate Action • Austin is 1 of 4 Major US Cities (+ Denver, Kansas City, San Francisco) that have adopted the most aggressive GHG Reduction goal — Net Zero by 2040. • Austin is 1 of 5 Major US Cities (+ DC, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle) that have put equity at the center of their climate initiatives. • The Austin Energy Goal of 100% Carbon Free electricity generation by 2035 is in the top echelon of utility goals in the US, very few are more aggressive. • Austin community-wide GHG emissions decreased 25% since 2011 (15.1 MMT in …
Agenda Item for the RMC Mee�ng DATE: March 19, 2024 By Commissioner Caruga� Sponsors: Paul Robbins, Alison Silverstein U�lity Rebate and Incen�ve Website Page for the City of Aus�n: Discuss with All city u�li�es that have incen�ves/rebates to be placed on 1 city website. This includes gas, water, and electricity. If there could be 1 page that included ALL of the incen�ve programs provided by all city u�li�es on 1 main page at a high level so the ci�zens could be more aware of all the programs we incen�vize. From that main web page each u�lity could have links to their individual program that includes more detail. As of now, each u�lity has scatered websites with incen�ves in places ci�zens are not aware of and the websites are litered with so much informa�on its hard to read. Start at high level, then break each incen�ve down. The ques�on is who at the city can produce this one page and link to all other u�li�es?
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Resolution 20240319-XX on Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worsen and is causing harm to the Austin community. Immediately reducing greenhouse emissions is essential; and WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan established a goal for the Austin community to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 75 percent reduction by 2030; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 established that Austin Energy would achieve 100% carbon-free energy by 2035 and that Austin Energy would no longer invest in fossil fuel resources; and WHEREAS, in December 2022, the Austin City Council adopted Resolution 20221201- 040, which directed Austin Energy to collaborate with the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) to update the 2030 Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan; and WHEREAS, the electric market and federal incentives have changed significantly since the last update, and the financial viability of battery storage (as evidenced by widespread investment within the ERCOT market), as well as opportunities to improve energy efficiency and demand response programs and increase deployment of local solar make a transition to clean energy possible; and WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group consisted of 16 energy experts, including members of the Resource Management Commission and other community members, who met 14 times between September 2023 and January 2024 to learn about and discuss a wide variety of energy topics; and WHEREAS, the existing Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 includes a goal to achieve carbon-free generation by 2035, which implies that Austin Energy’s gas-burning generation would be shut down, but the plan does not include details on how to fully replace those resources; and WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group identifies a robust suite of clean energy resources that can be used to allow Austin Energy to achieve a full transition away from fossil fuels and other polluting resources, while maintaining reliability and affordability; WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Group could benefit from further refinement and input from Austin Energy; and WHEREAS, full the implementation of strategies to enable the transition to clean energy takes time, so moving from planning to implementation in a timely manner is important; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s mission is to deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent …
EUC Resource Planning Working Group Recommendations for the “Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035” Clean and Carbon-Free Energy for an Affordable and Livable Austin Presentation to the Resource Management Commission March 19, 2024 Alison Silverstein & Paul Robbins, RMC members 1 AE initial resource generation plan update process • Technology readiness assessment (readiness, affordability, local use to reduce congestion, high availability, dispatchability) Scenario modeling (including risks re extreme weather, local congestion and regulatory changes) • Balance goals of environmental sustainability, reliability, affordability & cost stability, with • • carbon-free mix by 2035 Initial recommendations Looked at a variety of supply and demand technologies plus new and upgraded transmission 2 AE resource generation plan “key take-aways” generation scenario modeling risk • Only one technology satisfies all criteria – hydrogen-capable natural gas-fired • No one technology can solve all our resource needs • All technologies that meet the readiness criteria (in green) were included in the • Only portfolios w/o high %s of solar or storage overcome extreme weather • Only portfolios incl hydrogen-capable combined cycle meet affordability goal and enable more renewables • Only portfolios w/ local supply overcome local congestion problems • Do more demand response, EE, DER (mostly Evs?), transmission • Move away from MW to GHG reduction to improve overall impact and effectiveness. 3 EUC-RMC Working Group recommends AE meet demand w/ renewables, demand response, energy efficiency, existing nuclear & batteries Local Solar Storage Coal & Nuclear Gas Generation Year 2027 Energy Efficiency Demand Response Renewable Energy 75 MW 65% 2030 200 MW 76% 10% Winter & 18% Summer Peak Reduction 15% Winter & 23% Summer Peak Reduction 20% Winter & 28% Summer Peak Reduction Retire Fayette ASAP & use REACH to limit use as much as allowed; No additional Nuclear No additional Nuclear Reduce emissions by 33% using REACH. No new gas generation Reduce emissions by 66% using REACH. No new gas generation 350 MW, with at least 150 MW behind- the-meter 150 MW, with at least 100 MW located in the Austin Energy load zone 500 MW, with at least 200 MW behind- the-mete 400 MW, with at least 200 MW located in the Austin Energy load zone 700 MW, with at least 250 MW behind- the-meter 500 MW, with at least 300 MW located in the AE load zone - at least 100 MW of long-duration storage Greenhouse Gas Reduction between …
Multifamily & Commercial Project Pipeline – Monthly Report 03/01/2024 Figure 1: Commercial and Multifamily Project Pipeline Commercial and Small Business Multifamily 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 t n u o C t c e o r P j 145 Project Pipeline Notes: 2. Pipeline Definitions 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 t n u o C t c e o r P j 44 108 8 15 26 Pre-Approval in Progress Approved: Installation and Verification Pre-Approval in Progress Approved: Installation and Verification Multifamily Multifamily Income Qualified 1. Figures includes all leads and applications, regardless of estimated rebate amount. In coordination with the customer and contractor, Austin Energy periodically removes leads and new applications that do not proceed to Installation. a. “Pre-Approval in Progress” includes: 1) customer/contractor submitted leads; 2) applications in development but not yet submitted to Austin Energy; and 3) applications submitted to Austin Energy that are under review for eligibility and approval of project scope. b. “Approved: Installation and Verification” includes projects: 1) approved with installation underway; and 2) where installation is complete and final inspection and quality review are ongoing. c. Paid projects are listed on the preceding RMC summary table in this report. Multifamily & Commercial Project Pipeline – Monthly Report 03/01/2024 Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Table 1: Multifamily and Multifamily Income Qualified – Estimated RCA Project Pipeline (for estimated rebates >$74k) Program Latest Workflow Enrollment (s) # Location Name Installation Address Council District Estimated kW savings Estimated kWh savings Estimated $ Incentive Installation Lincoln Oaks 263.3 766,330 $257,806 11700 Metric Blvd 1266038, 1279735, 1292608, 1292617 Measures Planned Phase 1 (Complete): Water Saving Devices, Phase 2 (In Progress): LED Lighting, Plenum Remediation & Seal, HVAC Tune-Up, Smart Thermostats Total # of Units 296 Installation 1277574 Buckingham Place Duplexes 743 YARSA BLVD Installation 1301882 West Koenig Flats 5608 Avenue F 34.2 159,495 $74,700 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats 166 39.0 185,377 $109,200 HVAC Tune-up, Smart Thermostats 210 Installation 1299361 79.6 286,993 $151,432 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, LED Lighting Multifamily Installation 1281017 Multifamily Installation 1275428 305.4 669,612 $279,173 Low-E windows, Smart Thermostats, HVAC replacement 99.9 349,027 $213,038 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, LED Lighting Multifamily Installation 1299445 San Marin Apartments 4025 DUVAL RD 65.8 58410.710 0 $126,813 Attic Insulation Multifamily Installation 1301185 Elan East 59.0 327,616 $121,687 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, Water Saving Devices, ECAD …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20240319-003 Resolution Passive House Design Challenge WHEREAS, the City of Austin recognizes the critical need for sustainable and affordable housing solutions to address the diverse housing challenges faced by our community; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin, in alignment with its commitment to climate action, has established a comprehensive Climate Equity Plan aimed at addressing environmental and social inequities in the community; and WHEREAS, the City’s Climate Equity Plan includes a goal of reaching net-zero GHG emissions by 2040 and a goal of achieving net-zero carbon for new buildings and reducing emissions by 25% for existing buildings by 2040; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has also developed a robust Climate Resilience Action Plan, outlining strategies to enhance the resilience of the community in the face of climate change impacts; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin seeks to encourage and support the development of affordable housing projects that adhere to the highest standards of energy efficiency, sustainability, and equity; WHEREAS, passive houses are the world's most energy-efficient standard and are designed so that most of the air exchange with the exterior is done by controlled ventilation through a heat exchanger to minimize heat loss; and WHEREAS, passive building design can help keep a building cool in hot and humid climates through several strategies including shading, insulation, ventilation, orientation, and shape; and WHEREAS, passive house design saves significantly on heating and cooling compared to traditional buildings, and over 25% compared to average new builds which help reduce energy costs and create a smaller carbon footprint; and WHEREAS, in 2009, Vancouver took an important first step toward their goal of becoming the greenest city in the world, as the first jurisdiction in North America to go beyond green building codes and use architecture itself through passive design to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs); and WHEREAS, starting in 2024, the City of Boston adopted a set of sustainability standards that required every new multifamily building to meet passive building requirements, WHEREAS, in the past years New York City, Chicago, and several states including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut have also instituted passive building requirements; and WHEREAS, although no southern state or city has adopted passive building standards to date, a study performed by Science Direct showed that passive building strategies in warm humid climates can achieve substantial energy and cost savings over standard building techniques; and WHEREAS, sustainable …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20240319-005 Resolution on Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Recommendations WHEREAS, the City of Austin has numerous sustainability incentive programs aligned with the goals of Climate Equity Plan; and WHEREAS, many of these programs are underutilized, especially among low-income households; and WHEREAS, additional community outreach by trusted organizations can increase the effectiveness of these programs, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission recommends that a minimum of $320,000 be allocated to the Office of Sustainability for: a. A Community Engagement Specialist (1 FTE) to coordinate community outreach and partnership activities associated with promoting the full suite of City of Austin sustainability incentives (i.e., home weatherization and repair, water conservation, rainwater collection, landscape, and green infrastructure programs), with a focus on building relationships with low-income communities, communities of color, and related organizations and service providers. (est. $120,000). b. $200,000 for grants, contracts, and stipends for community leaders and community-based organizations to do direct outreach to promote sustainability incentive programs in targeted Austin communities, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability. Commissioner Paul Robbins, Vice Chair; Commissioner Melissa Carugati; Commissioner Charlotte Davis; Commissioner Trey Farmer; Commissioner GeNell Gary; Commissioner Shane Johnson; Commissioner Dino Sasaridis; Commissioner Alison Silverstein Vote: 8-0 For: Against: None Abstentions: None Off Dais: None Vacancies: Mayor Absences: Commissioner Louis Stone, Chair; Commissioner Chelsey Scaffidi Attest: Natasha Goodwin, Staff Liaison
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20240319-006 Resolution on Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worsen and is causing harm to the Austin community. Immediately reducing greenhouse emissions is essential; and WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan established a goal for the Austin community to reach net- zero greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 75 percent reduction by 2030; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 established that Austin Energy would achieve 100% carbon-free energy by 2035 and that Austin Energy would no longer invest in fossil fuel resources; and WHEREAS, in December 2022, the Austin City Council adopted Resolution 20221201- 040, which directed Austin Energy to collaborate with the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) to update the 2030 Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan; and WHEREAS, the electric market and federal incentives have changed significantly since the last update, and the financial viability of battery storage (as evidenced by widespread investment within the ERCOT market), as well as opportunities to improve energy efficiency and demand response programs and increase deployment of local solar make a transition to clean energy possible; and WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group consisted of 16 energy experts, including members of the Resource Management Commission and other community members, who met 14 times between September 2023 and January 2024 to learn about and discuss a wide variety of energy topics; and WHEREAS, the existing Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 includes a goal to achieve carbon-free generation by 2035, which implies that Austin Energy’s gas- burning generation would be shut down, but the plan does not include details on how to fully replace those resources; and WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group identifies a robust suite of clean energy resources that can be used to allow Austin Energy to achieve a full transition away from fossil fuels and other polluting resources, while maintaining reliability and affordability; WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Group could benefit from further refinement and input from Austin Energy; and WHEREAS, full the implementation of strategies to enable the transition to clean energy takes time, so moving from planning to implementation in a timely manner is important; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s mission is to deliver clean, affordable, …
GreenChoice Repurposing Proposal Resource Management Commission Paul Robbins March 19, 2024 • Started in 2001 to Allow Customers to Virtually Buy 100% Green Power • Currently 0.75¢/kwh More/ About 6% Increase in Total Bill • 984 Million Kwh Sold in 2022 / 7% of Total Austin Energy Consumption • About $7.4 Million in 2022 Additional Revenue • About 28,000 – 5% – of 2022 Customer Base In Austin, Renewable Energy has Increased from Almost Nothing in 2000 to Half Of Electric Supply in 2023 And It is Projected to Hit About 80% by 2035. Why Should We Ask Customers to Pay More for What the Utility Is Doing Anyway? But All the Renewable Energy in the World Will Not Allow It To Be ”Dispatchable” – To be Used When It Is Needed Denmark is world leader in use of intermittent renewable energy. Only 31% of its electricity is dispatchable. How do they do it? Leveraging Funds • 20% from Austin Energy • 20% from Storage Company Balance from: • Grants (Federal, State, Non-profit) • Other Utility/Government Partners • Private Investors Arbitrage Example: 1.5¢ Overnight Power 50¢ Peak Demand 5 PM Perhaps New GreenChoice Program Can Deliver A “Dividend” to Subscribers Austin Energy Defends Current Program 1. Allows customers to purchase 100% wind 2. Customer Satisfaction Survey showe participants were happy with the program 3. Program is not making money at this time because of flawed structure Answers 1. There is no country in the world running on anything close to 100% intermittent wind or solar energy. 2. No survey has been conducted asking GreenChoice participants if they want dispatchable renewable energy. 3. GreenChoice revenue shortfall is being corrected and phased in.
Austin Climate Equity Plan Phillip Duran, Sr Climate Analyst March 2024 1 Austin Climate Equity Plan Overview • How the Climate Equity Plan was developed • What’s in the Plan • Where we are now 2 3 Why lead with Equity in Climate? • Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate hazards Experience climate shocks on top of existing economic stressors • Have less resources to bounce back from event Suffer long-term impacts to mental and physical health • • Plan Development Process Diverse participation • • Community ownership approach • Mandatory Equity training Joint Sustainability Committee Steering Committee Climate and Environment Leadership Team Transportation Electrification Transportation and Land Use Sustainable Buildings Food and Product Consumption Natural Systems Staff + Stakeholder Advisory Groups 5 Community Climate Ambassadors 2020-2021 Cohort • 50% African American/Black • 25% Latino/Hispanic • 8% Asian • 8% Pacific Islander • 8% Two or more races • Over 50% under 24 years old • Over 75% female Participating Stakeholder Organizations 7 What’s in the Plan? 8 Climate Equity Plan Overview Adopted by City Council in September 2021 Net-zero by 2040 5 Sections - Sustainable Buildings - Transportation Electrification - Transportation and Land Use - Food and Product Consumption - Natural Systems 17 Goals – To be accomplished by 2030 to keep on track 75 Strategies - Progress in next 5 years Equity Throughout, particularly in Strategies • • • Prioritize incentives + target communications towards low-income & communities of color Just transition to green jobs for new industries & technology Prioritize health & other benefits 9 Climate Equity Plan Summary 17 Goals What needs to be accomplished by 2030 to keep us on track 75 Strategies What should be implemented in the next 5 years to make progress 10 Austin is a National Leader in Climate Action • Austin is 1 of 4 Major US Cities (+ Denver, Kansas City, San Francisco) that have adopted the most aggressive GHG Reduction goal — Net Zero by 2040. • Austin is 1 of 5 Major US Cities (+ DC, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle) that have put equity at the center of their climate initiatives. • The Austin Energy Goal of 100% Carbon Free electricity generation by 2035 is in the top echelon of utility goals in the US, very few are more aggressive. • Austin community-wide GHG emissions decreased 25% since 2011 (15.1 MMT in …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20240319-006 Resolution on Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worsen and is causing harm to the Austin community. Immediately reducing greenhouse emissions is essential; and WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan established a goal for the Austin community to reach net- zero greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 75 percent reduction by 2030; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 established that Austin Energy would achieve 100% carbon-free energy by 2035 and that Austin Energy would no longer invest in fossil fuel resources; and WHEREAS, in December 2022, the Austin City Council adopted Resolution 20221201- 040, which directed Austin Energy to collaborate with the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) to update the 2030 Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan; and WHEREAS, the electric market and federal incentives have changed significantly since the last update, and the financial viability of battery storage (as evidenced by widespread investment within the ERCOT market), as well as opportunities to improve energy efficiency and demand response programs and increase deployment of local solar make a transition to clean energy possible; and WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group consisted of 16 energy experts, including members of the Resource Management Commission and other community members, who met 14 times between September 2023 and January 2024 to learn about and discuss a wide variety of energy topics; and WHEREAS, the existing Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 includes a goal to achieve carbon-free generation by 2035, which implies that Austin Energy’s gas- burning generation would be shut down, but the plan does not include details on how to fully replace those resources; and WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group identifies a robust suite of clean energy resources that can be used to allow Austin Energy to achieve a full transition away from fossil fuels and other polluting resources, while maintaining reliability and affordability; WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Group could benefit from further refinement and input from Austin Energy; and WHEREAS, full the implementation of strategies to enable the transition to clean energy takes time, so moving from planning to implementation in a timely manner is important; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s mission is to deliver clean, affordable, …
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 19, 2024 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 19, 2024 The Resource Management Commission convened in a Regular Called meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. Vice Chair Paul Robbins called the Resource Management Commission meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Commissioner Paul Robbins, Vice Chair; Commissioner Charlotte Davis; Commissioner Trey Farmer; Commissioner Dino Sasaridis. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Melissa Carugati; Commissioner GeNell Gary; Commissioner Shane Johnson; Commissioner Alison Silverstein. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Resource Management Commission Regular Meeting on February 20, 2024. The motion approving the minutes of the Resource Management Commission meeting of February 20, 2024 was approved on Commissioner Silverstein’s motion, Commissioner Davis’s second on an 7-0-1 vote with Commissioner Sasaridis abstaining, Chair Stone and Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and one vacancy. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approving issuance of a capacity-based incentive to the City of Sunset Valley, for installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 3203 and 3207 Jones Road, Sunset Valley, TX, 78745, in an amount not to exceed $119,899. The motion to approve a recommendation approving the issuance of a capacity- based incentive to the City of Sunset Valley, was recommended on Commissioner Davis motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on an 8-0 vote with Chair Stone and Commissioner Scaffidi absent and one vacancy. STAFF BRIEFINGS 7. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Climate Equity Plan Overview by Phillip Duran, Climate Analyst, Sr, Office of Sustainability. The briefing was presented by Phillip Duran, Climate Analyst, Sr, Office of Sustainability. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 19, 2024 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a recommendation regarding the creation of a pilot program of multifamily supportive housing projects and assist with the Passive House certification. (Sponsors: Farmer, Robbins, and Stone) The motion to approve a recommendation regarding the creation of a pilot program of multifamily supportive housing projects and assist with the Passive House certification, was recommended on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on an 7-0-1 vote with Commissioner Sasaridis abstaining, Chair Stone and Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and one vacancy. 4. Approve a recommendation on repurposing the GreenChoice Program and increasing dispatchable renewable energy. (Sponsors: Robbins, Stone, and Silverstein) The motion to approve a recommendation on repurposing the GreenChoice …
Regular Meeting of the Construction Advisory Committee Tuesday, March 19, 2024 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM One Texas Center – Congress Conference Room 505 Barton Springs Road, 3rd Floor Austin, Texas If view online televised, you may the meeting the Construction Advisory Committee may be participating by at: Some members of videoconference. http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Vanessa Ibanez at 512-974-1058 or vanessa.ibanez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD COMMISSIONERS: Lyn Nance-Hendricks, Chair Michelle Dahlstrom Ron Lord Bianca Medina-Leal Calvin Williams Jeff Musgrove, Vice Chair Riley Drake Benjamin Marchiony Candelario Vazquez AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Construction Advisory Committee Regular Meeting on February 13, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS Director’s Report on Capital Delivery Services Updates – Eric Bailey Presentation regarding Construction Training Program – Rosy Arenas 3. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 Vanessa Ibanez with Capital Delivery Services Department, at 512-974-1058, for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Construction Advisory Committee, please contact Vanessa Ibanez at 512-974-1058
Construction Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 19, 2024 CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, March 19, 2024 The Construction Advisory Committee convened in a Regular meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 505 Barton Springs Road, 3rd Floor – Congress Conference Room in Austin, Texas. Chair Lyn Nance-Hendricks called the Construction Advisory Committee Meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Chair, Lyn Nance-Hendricks, Riley Drake Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ron Lord, Calvin Williams, Candelario Vazquez, Jeff Musgrove PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Construction Advisory Committee Regular Meeting on February 13, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 2/13/2024 were approved on Riley Drakes’s motion, Ron Lord second on a 6-0 vote. Benjamin Marchiony, Michelle Dahlstrom, and Bianca Medina- Leal absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Director’s Report on Capital Delivery Services Project Updates The presentation was made by Eric Bailey, Capital Delivery Services Presentation by Rosy Arenas regarding Construction Training Program. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Chair Lyn Nance-Hendricks adjourned the meeting at 10:32 a.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the 5/14/2024 meeting on Jeff Musgrove’s motion, Riley Drake second on a 6-0 vote. Ron Lord, Ben Marchiony, and Bianca Medina-Leal absent. 1
REGULAR MEETING of the ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MARCH 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 301 W 2ND ST, AUSTIN, TX 78701 AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Eric Anderson at (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Hanna Huang, Chair Seonhye “Sonny” Sin Lily Trieu Nayer Sikder Mohsin Lari Satyajeet Dodia Pierre Nguyen CALL TO ORDER Sarah Chen, Vice Chair Kuo Yang Luan Tran Anna Lan Sabrina Sha Padmini Jambulapati Zahra Shakur Jamal-Hassan AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission on February 20, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion of a 2024 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month proclamation. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. Approve the creation of a working group on food security. Approve the creation of a working group related to a GraduAsian graduation event. Select an Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission member to represent the Commission to support the development and implementation of the Imagine Austin comprehensive engagement process. Update the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) working group membership. Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Customer and Front Desk Support. Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Senior Program Language Access. Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Signature Programs. Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for an Equity Office Data Analyst Associate position. Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget related to Austin Public Health Immigrant Legal Services. Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget related to Austin Public Health Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health. Approve a …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 02.20.2024 ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 20th, 2024 The ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION convened a SPECIAL meeting on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20th, 2024, in the Boards and Commissions Room #1101 in City Hall (301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701). Chair HANNA HUANG called the ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING to order at 6:11 pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Hanna Huang (Chair) Kuo Yang Padmini Jambulapati Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Sarah Chen (Vice-Chair) Seonhye “Sonny” Sin Pierre Nguyen Sabrina Sha Nayer Sikder Mohsin Lari Commissioners Absent: Lily Trieu Anna Lan Satyajeet Dodia Zahra Shakur Jamal-Hassan Staff in Attendance: Alejandra Mireles – Community Services Program Coordinator, Equity Office Eric Anderson – Program Coordinator, Office of City Clerk CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1 ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 02.20.2024 The first ten 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. a. Sergio Torres, Food and Resilience Coordinator, Office of Sustainability: follow up from 2021 food plan; start the process of compiling all the content from over the past two years which has included 21 workshops and 2,000 people. The office is creating a draft plan which should be ready for review and feedback from March 18-april 18. Love to hear from the Commission during a presentation or workgroup for feedback to the draft food plan in a future meeting. There will also be an online survey and an online review meeting on April 3 via zoom. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Discussion and possible action to approve the minutes of the COMMISSION’s SPECIAL MEETING on JANUARY 30th, 2024. The JANUARY 30th, 2024, the minutes were approved on COMMISSIONER SARAH CHEN’s motion, COMMISSIONER SONNY SIN’s second on a 9-0 vote. (Absent: Commissioner Lily Trieu, Anna Lan, Satyajeet Dodia, and Zahra Shakur Jamal-Hassan.) STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Brie Franco, Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, 2023 Legislative Update. COMMISSIONER SARAH CHEN asks what the efforts were to deflect AE bills. Answer, to mitigate taking away from those investors into the AE (the city) to get the return (go back to the budget). COMMISSIONER HANNA HUANG asks between now and the next sessions, what can the Commission do to help the work in the city. Answer, given some of the Commission’s priorities, find …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-010 Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for an Equity Office Data Analyst Date: March 19, 2024 Subject: Associate position Motioned by: Description Seconded By: Equity Office Data Analyst Associate position Data Equity for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities is a pressing issue that affects and informs the services we receive or do not. It is defined by the group AAPI Data as 1) inclusion and incorporation of community expertise and research expertise to 2) ensure equity in all stages and aspects of data and research, including: ● design and development ● collection, compilation, processing, ● analysis, dissemination, and preservation The AAQoL has received various staff and program presentations since our creation and one of the leading trends we see is that there is very little data collection that speaks to the nuances of how or if our broad AANHPI community is served. A Data Analyst Associate FTE position is recommended to be added to the Equity Office to complement the work they are doing with a data analyst associate that can assist in helping the Equity Office stay up to date on national data equity trends, assist with data analysis that can provide deeper insight into systematic issues and trends in available City data, and/or consult with other departments on data equity models and trends. Recommendation An ongoing amount of $95,000 is recommended to cover 1 Data Analyst Associate FTE. Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Government that works for all; Equity of City programs and resource allocation Department Equity Office Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest:
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-011 Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget related to Austin Public Health Date: March 19, 2024 Subject: Immigrant Legal Services Motioned by: Description Seconded By: Austin Public Health Immigrant Legal Services The Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission (AAQoL) strongly recommends continued funding for the Austin Public Health (APH) Immigrant Legal Services program in the FY 2024-25 budget. This program plays a critical role in supporting the well-being of Austin's immigrant population. APH Immigrant Legal Services currently has 2 contracts in place for American Gateways and 1 contract in place for Catholic Charities, all of which are set to expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The recent closure of Refugee Services of Texas has further reduced options for legal immigration assistance available in the community for refugees, many of whom are from Asian and Middle Eastern countries.We strongly recommend continued funding for the APH Immigrant Legal Services program at a level that allows it to meet the growing needs of Austin's immigrant population Contractors for this program provide critical legal assistance to immigrants in Austin. The program helps immigrants navigate the complex legal system, with a focus on areas like citizenship, deportation defense, and access to public benefits. Recommendation Ongoing funding of $700,000 is recommended to continue services currently being provided along with a suggested $100,000 increase to meet community legal needs from the closure of nonprofits serving refugees in our community. Department Austin Public Health (APH) Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Government that works for all; Equity of City programs and resource allocation; Safety: Fair administration of justice Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest:
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-012 Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget related to Austin Public Health Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Subject: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget related to Austin Public Health Seconded By: Austin Public Health Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Date: March 19, 2024 Motioned by: Description The Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission would like to recommend that the City increase funding for mental health services. In 2020, Austin Public Health (APH) put out a Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) 004 Asian Pacific Islander Mental Health Services that our commission also supported and recommended. There were two applicants and two awarded agencies: Northwest Austin Universal Health Clinic (NAUHC) for $100,000 and Young Women’s Christian Association (also known as YWCA) for $50,000. With the closure of NAUHC, the $100,000 API Mental Health amount was awarded to Get Up Project d/b/a Hope Medical Clinic to provide health education and navigation services prioritizing the Austin Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. While case management services are essential for the AAPI community, their use is very different from the original scope and intention of the RFGA. Given that the funding for mental health for this past fiscal year was diverted to case management, the need is higher than ever to access essential mental healthcare for Austin’s Asian community. Our recommendation would be an ongoing amount that not only is applied to AAPI Mental and Behavioral Health but also to fund a Mental Health Directory specific to mental health specialists who work with members of Austin’s Asian community. The funds would go towards building community-building activities along with the creation of an updated directory of mental health specialists by language and by specialty. Recommendation Ongoing $100,000 for AAPI Mental & Behavioral Health Direct Services One-time $20,000 funding to support administrative maintenance, directory expansion, and client matching for an Asian Behavioral Health Network Department Austin Public Health Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities: Health & Environment: Enjoying a sustainable environment and a healthy life, physically and mentally. A. Health conditions among the public B. Accessibility to quality health care services (physical and mental) Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest:
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-013 Subject: Pacific Islander (AAPI) Austin Public Health Social Services Case Management Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget related to Asian American and Seconded By: Date: March 19, 2024 Motioned by: Description AAPI Case Management Austin Public Health (APH) currently has a $100,000 grant awarded to Get Up Project d/b/a Hope Medical Clinic to provide health education and navigation services prioritizing the Austin Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The clinic, whose patients are 46% Asian (primarily refugees), provides free primary healthcare. The grant has allowed them to add a case manager to the staff who is consistently booked full with referrals for social service assistance and referrals after being identified for needing additional social services at the medical clinic. In addition, they have tracked over 6400 minutes of language interpretation used in the past year for patients needing language access from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Case management with language interpretation requires longer appointments due to the use of a language interpretation service and/or device. High healthcare costs disproportionately affect uninsured adults and those with lower incomes, which are represented in Austin’s Asian community. These communities tend to forgo or delay medical care due to cost or lack of trust. Case management can coordinate and maintain more efficient workflows for healthcare providers, including scheduling appointments, billing, and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and accurately. Research has shown the effective results of case management. Studies have shown that 10% of patients make up 70% of healthcare spending. By investing in case management, the coordination of care can include preventive care, such as screenings and treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure. This will go a long way to ensuring that preventable conditions do not turn into chronic conditions. Having access to bilingual case managers ensures that important and complicated health information can be communicated with patients in their preferred language. $150,000 in one-time funding for Asian American and Pacific Islander case management services Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities: Health & Environment: Enjoying a sustainable environment and a healthy life, physically and mentally. Health conditions among the public Accessibility to quality health care services (physical and mental) Recommendation Department Austin Public Health Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest:
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-014 Date: March 19, 2024 Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget related to Community Health Seconded By: Community Health Navigators (CHNs) Subject: Navigators Motioned by: Description Currently, the City has two Master Agreements MA - 4700 - NG160000053 (since 2017) and MA - 4700 - NG220000094 (since 2022) for Community Health Navigator (CHN) services to the Asian American community that is inclusive of recruiting, hiring, training, direct services of translated health navigation and administration. Both contracts are coming to an end with this fiscal year. The current contractor, Asian American Resource Center Inc. dba Asian American Community Health Initiative (AACHI) is currently providing services to some of the most vulnerable Asian subpopulations including Burmese, Korean, Nepali, Vietnamese, Syrian, Iraqi, and other Arabic-speaking communities. CHN services in these languages are not available from any other agencies or non-profits in the Austin area. The loss or gap in the continuation of these contracts or their replacements would have a detrimental effect in the health inequities for the most vulnerable pockets of the local Asian American community. This recommendation seeks to sustain and increase funding for CHN services to the Asian American community. CHNs provide an essential service for Austin’s Asian community, which has language access needs spanning multiple communities. During the pandemic, a Texas A&M COVID contract supported a local provider hiring three bilingual Community Health Navigators who served the Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese-speaking communities. The expiration of the funding period has resulted in less than 150 clients and no dedicated bilingual CHN for the Chinese-speaking community. Navigating the healthcare system can be a challenging task for native English speakers. For non-native English speakers, this challenge can be nearly impossible to overcome. Yet, accessing adequate health care services, is an essential service that some may say is a basic human right. Community health navigators assist Austin’s non-native English speakers in scheduling appointments, filling out required paperwork, applying for and understanding health insurance benefits, and many more essential services. Austin’s Asian community is diverse with many non-native English speakers. The lack of language access services isolates many Austin residents, preventing them from participating in civic life, which can lead to feelings of isolation. The lack of language access services is especially acute when dealing with healthcare. The inability to access adequate diagnoses and care can lead to a multitude of poor, and in many cases preventable, …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-015 Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for the We All Belong Austin Against Hate Campaign Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for the We All Belong Austin Date: March 19, 2024 Subject: Against Hate Campaign Motioned by: Seconded By: We All Belong Austin Against Hate Campaign Description July 2023, the City launched an anti-hate education and outreach initiative called “We All Belong” to streamline access to tools to report hate crimes and incidents, making it easier for community members to keep Austin safe. This was during a disturbing upward trend that has continued in hate crimes in the city that were anti-Semitic, racist, and homophobic and was as directed by council in a 2021 resolution. Just in February of this year, a stabbing attack in West Campus of a group of South Asians was classified as a hate crime after the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a wide- alert about the context around the crime and held a press release at City Hall following it. Prior to that, news reports did not mention the use of racial slurs and targetting of the victim, who is Palestinian American. Our commission sees the continued need for the We All Belong Austin against the anti-hate campaign and wants to see it continue its reach to along with staying current and updated with current news communities targeted disproportionately for their race, ethnicity, or religion. Recommendation $350,000 in one-time funding is recommended to sustain the program and campaign Department Communications & Public Information Office Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Government that works for all; Equity of City programs and resource allocation, Safety, Proactive Prevention, Community Trust & Relationships Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest:
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-007 Date: March 19, 2024 Subject: Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Customer and Front Desk Support Seconded By: AARC Customer & Front Desk Support Motioned by: Description The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) facility within the Parks and Recreation Department’s (PARD) Museums & Cultural Programs Division has an FY2024-2025 under- resourced need for front desk support that has been identified and requested since 2020. Pre- 2020, the AARC has garnered over 50,000 visitors at its peak. In the first full fiscal year back from the pandemic closures and adjusted hours, visitor and program attendance is already back at over 30,000 in FY2022-2023. Currently, the AARC is the only cultural facility in PARD without a dedicated FTE for Front Desk and Reception support and is entirely staffed by temporary staff. This poses a lot of issues to turnover, training, and support needed to appropriately respond to citizen inquiries and needs when they visit the facility during the 46 hours a week the facility is open to the public currently. Due to a budget cut in the current budget year, their temporary staff budget has been reduced almost from $135,000 to $121,915, with front desk staff support taking $65,000 or more than 50%. Reductions in temporary staffing to other AARC programs have been necessary to maintain appropriate staffing at the reception area for visitor assistance and safety. Recommendation Ongoing funding in one of the following options is recommended: ● 1 Administrative Specialist FTE (40 hours/week) at $65,000 for salary and bilingual pay ● .75 Administrative Speciality PTE (30 hours/week) at $52,000 for salary and bilingual pay plus an additional $20,000 (6 hours/week) temporary staffing for an entry-level administrative specialist ● $72,000 of total temporary funding was dedicated to Office Attendant I and II positions accounting for 63 hours a week total throughout the year. Inclusive of 2 staff for evening shifts for safety, training, and increased staffing for large events and rentals. Department PARD/Museums & Cultural Arts/AARC Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Culture & Lifelong Learning: Quality of cultural venues, events, programs, and resources; Quality of lifelong learning opportunities. Government That Works for All: Condition of City facilities and technology; Public engagement and participation; Equity of City programs and resource allocation. Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest:
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20240318-008 Date: March 19, 2024 Subject: Center (AARC) Senior Program Language Access Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Asian American Resource Seconded By: AARC Senior Program Language Access Motioned by: Description The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) facility within the Parks and Recreation Department’s (PARD) Museums & Cultural Programs Division has a robust senior program that served 4,712 participants and served about 6,300 meals within the FY2022-2023 year alone. In the AARC budget from FY2022-2023 and FY2023-2024, there has been a significant unmet need for additional funding for expanded Senior Language Access. The AARC has $43,198 in FY2023-2024 budgeted and faced a reduction due to PARD budget cuts already halfway through the year. Of this budget, most of the funding is utilized for Mandarin-language interpretation. The AARC staff has identified a need for Vietnamese and Korean interpretation for activities as well as to better serve seniors with language barriers for 1- 2 days of the week during the senior programs at the facility. As the only senior program in the city with language access for Asian languages consistently available, it is essential that the AARC has the budget needed for additional language interpretation services to expand equitable access to more of our Asian American seniors. Recommendation Ongoing addition of $15,000 is recommended for language interpretation to add Vietnamese and Korean-interpreted activity days to the AARC senior program Department PARD/Museums & Cultural Arts/AARC Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Culture & Lifelong Learning: Quality of cultural venues, events, programs, and resources; Quality of lifelong learning opportunities. Government That Works for All: Condition of City facilities and technology; Public engagement and participation; Equity of City programs and resource allocation. Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest:
Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission FY2024-2025 Draft Budget Recommendations Summary Item Title Dept Cost/Asks Summary 20240318- 007 AARC Customer & Front Desk Support PARD AARC front desk has been staffed w/ temporary staff or full-time staff w/ other duties for 10 years now. They need a permanent position or more funding to maintain customer service & safety at reception/lobby 20240318- 008 AARC Senior Program Language Access PARD 20240318- 009 AARC Signature Programs PARD 20240318- 010 Data Analyst Associate FTE Equity Office Of the $43k budgeted, most is used for Mandarin interpreter being provided for the Chinese seniors. To diversify and expand reach of senior participation, AARC need add’l funds for Vietnamese & Korean language interpretation requests. Preserve and expand the budget for AARC Signature Programs Saved for future recommendation $95,000 ongoing for 1 Data Analyst Associate FTE Complements the Equity Office work in staying up to date on national data equity trends, assists with data analysis that can provide deeper insight into systematic issues and trends in available City data, and/or consults with other departments Options: $65k ongoing for 1 Admin FTE, or $52k ongoing for .75 Admin PTE + $20k add’l in temp staffing, or $72k ongoing for temp office attendants $15k ongoing for services - interpretation in Vietnamese & Korean 20240318- 011 Immigrant Legal Services APH 20240318- 012 AAPI Mental Health APH 20240318- 013 AAPI Social Services Case Management APH Ongoing funding of $700,000 is to continue services currently being + a suggested $100,000 increase to meet community legal needs from the closure of nonprofits serving refugees in our community. $100k ongoing for AAPI Mental & Behavioral Health Direct Services $20k one-time Asian Behavioral Health Network $150k one- time for AAPI Case Management on data equity models and trends. AAPI Data Equity is a big need and hole in particular in the City Currently 2 contracts in place for American Gateways and 1 contract in place for Catholic Charities, all of which are set to expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The recent closure of Refugee Services of Texas has further reduced options for legal immigration assistance available in the community for refugees, many of whom are from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. 2020 grant for API Mental Health was $150k and awarded to YWCA (50k) and NAUHC (100k). NAUHC closed and Hope Project received the 100k in 2023 but for case management …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240319-007 Date: March 19, 2024 Subject: Recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Customer and Front Desk Support Seconded By: Vice Chair Sarah Chen Motioned by: Commissioner Satyajeet Dodia AARC Customer & Front Desk Support Description The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) facility within the Parks and Recreation Department’s (PARD) Museums & Cultural Programs Division has an FY2024-2025 under- resourced need for front desk support that has been identified and requested since 2020. Pre- 2020, the AARC has garnered over 50,000 visitors at its peak. In the first full fiscal year back from the pandemic closures and adjusted hours, visitor and program attendance is already back at over 30,000 in FY2022-2023. Currently, the AARC is the only cultural facility in PARD without a dedicated FTE for Front Desk and Reception support and is entirely staffed by temporary staff. This poses a lot of issues to turnover, training, and support needed to appropriately respond to citizen inquiries and needs when they visit the facility during the 46 hours a week the facility is open to the public currently. Due to a budget cut in the current budget year, their temporary staff budget has been reduced almost from $135,000 to $121,915, with front desk staff support taking $65,000 or more than 50%. Reductions in temporary staffing to other AARC programs have been necessary to maintain appropriate staffing at the reception area for visitor assistance and safety. Recommendation Ongoing funding in one of the following options is recommended: ● 1 Administrative Specialist FTE (40 hours/week) at $65,000 for salary and bilingual pay ● .75 Administrative Speciality PTE (30 hours/week) at $52,000 for salary and bilingual pay plus an additional $20,000 (6 hours/week) temporary staffing for an entry-level administrative specialist ● $72,000 of total temporary funding was dedicated to Office Attendant I and II positions accounting for 63 hours a week total throughout the year. Inclusive of 2 staff for evening shifts for safety, training, and increased staffing for large events and rentals. Department PARD/Museums & Cultural Arts/AARC Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Culture & Lifelong Learning: Quality of cultural venues, events, programs, and resources; Quality of lifelong learning opportunities. Government That Works for All: Condition of City facilities and technology; Public engagement and participation; Equity of City programs and resource allocation. Vote: 12-0 For: Chair Hanna Huang, Vice Chair Sarah Chen, Commissioners …
