BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20241203-005: Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative WHEREAS, Congress Avenue has often been described as the “Main Street of Texas” and a place for commerce, gathering, and community; WHEREAS, initial funding for the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative was allocated as part of the 2020 Mobility Bond Contract with the Voters; WHEREAS, the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) Vision Plan envisions Congress Avenue as a more human-centered, multimodal, complete street with a public plaza from 7th - 11th Street and a rebalanced complete street from Cesar Chavez - 7th Street; WHEREAS, the Phase 1 Austin Core Transportation Plan Phase I Survey results indicated residents wanted more access to downtown via biking, walking, and scootering, and preferred those modes over carpooling, ridesharing, and driving alone; D R A F T WHEREAS, TxDOT’s traffic counting station between 9th and 10th Street on Congress Ave (227HP5352) observed a 57% decrease in Annual Average Daily Traffic for motor vehicles on the segment from 8,319 in 2015 to 3,539 in 2023; WHEREAS, the Downtown street network is 1% of Austin’s overall network but accounts for 12% of all pedestrian crashes and 17% of intersection-related pedestrian crashes. WHEREAS, the 3rd Street Bike Lane sees an average of 827 bicyclists on weekends (not including traffic on Congress Ave), the highest of any bike traffic counter in Austin; WHEREAS, in Q3 2024, the Congress Ave bridge saw an average of 468 daily scooter trips, accounting for 6.5% of all scooter trips through the city; WHEREAS, the Downtown Austin Alliance found Congress Ave had an average of 12,066 pedestrian trips per day in March 2024; WHEREAS, the CAUBI plan would result in a reduction of only 0.27% of all publicly available downtown parking spaces and 1.5% of all downtown on-street parking spaces; WHEREAS, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Councils, Safe Streets Austin, CNU-CTX, and many other organizations have expressed their general support for the initiative and suggested changes to enhance the design; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission expresses its support for the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) Vision Plan and urges the City Manager to take all action necessary to ensure full adoption of the plan; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the City Manager uses this opportunity to fully implement City Council Resolutions No. 20170622-033 and 20091119-070 to implement a Civlovia …
RMC Gen Plan Recommendations 1. Consider Leasing Combustion Turbines – AE is concerned that it cannot economically operate without some level of new combustion turbines in the service territory. AE has shown that lack of local generation has raised the cost of imported power because of transmission line constraints. Environmentalists are concerned about carbon emissions and air pollution. Some have also criticized new turbines as a potential stranded investment, where machinery mortgaged over 30 years may not be needed if cleaner technology takes its place. RMC should recommend AE consider the option of leasing instead of owning Combustion Turbines until new transmission lines are built. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code By October 1, 2025 – Austin Energy has ignored requiring heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code. RMC has passed a resolution asking this to be considered. Rather than delay the current energy code amendments from being passed by Council, RMC should recommend that a new (smaller) process be created for this specific item. There are large savings to be had from this measure, making it worth the effort. 3. Passive House Initiative Beginning October 1, 2025 – A resolution RMC passed last March asking for a pilot program for passive affordable housing has yet to be acted on. We are asking for a date certain for this program to begin. 4. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program Beginning on October 1, 2025 – Austin Energy has at least 10 MW of Residential energy storage batteries, but does not coordinate their use to lower summer and winter peak demand. AE should have a pilot program in place by October 1 to make use of this and other DSM technologies as a Virtual Power Plant. 5. Reinforce Demand-Side Resources Goals (from Electric Utility Commission and AE) Percent Renewable Energy Goal: 73% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030. This goal will include both local and non-local renewable resources. Solar Goal: Austin Energy will plan to reach at least 205 MWs by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 — including 160 MW of existing capacity. Efficiency/Demand Response Goals: An economically achievable goal of at least 360 MW of peak efficiency savings and 269 MW of demand response peak savings by 2035. Thermal Storage Goal: At least 40 MW of local thermal …
Resource Management Commission Resolution 20241203-XX on Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, on August 8, 2019, the Austin City Council adopted a resolution declaring a climate emergency and calling “for an immediate emergency mobilization to restore a safe climate” and directing the city manager to take a number of steps to accelerate local greenhouse gas emissions reductions, including from Austin Energy; and WHEREAS, in 2020, the Austin City Council adopted the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030, which states that “Austin Energy will maintain an energy supply portfolio sufficient to offset customer demand while eliminating carbon and other pollutant emissions from its electric generation facilities as rapidly as feasible within the limitations set by the Austin City Council.” and states that “and all generation resources will be carbon-free by 2035;” and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 also states that “Austin Energy will no longer purchase, contract for or build long-term generation or storage resources that emit new carbon”; and WHEREAS, in 2021, the Austin City Council adopted the Austin Climate Equity Plan, which includes community-wide greenhouse gas reduction goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, with about 75% reduction by 2030; and WHEREAS, electrification is a key strategy for reducing and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions in many sectors and Carbon-Free electricity is needed to achieve those goals; and WHEREAS, on June 8, 2023, the Austin City Council adopted a resolution endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and a plan for “transitioning to a 100 percent clean energy economy, phase out fossil fuel production, and invest in communities on the frontlines of environmental injustice;” and WHEREAS, ground level ozone and particulate matter air pollution in the Austin region already exceed the health-based standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and CAPCOG has identified that increased NOx emissions from electric generating units, including Austin Energy's power plants, as highly correlated with high local ozone measurements; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 references an affordability goal and affordability remains important to many customers, but the workshops that Austin Energy hosted as part of this process to update the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan revealed that a large majority of participants are supportive of allowing rate increases beyond the current goal of two percent per year, so long as …
Draft Resolution on Austin Energy Generation Plan WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin has participated in the review and development of a proposed generation plan for Austin Energy that will be a guiding document through 2035; and WHEREAS, the final document will be pivotal in development and implementation of clean energy programs that allow the utility to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate carbon emissions and air pollution while saving consumers money at the same time; and WHEREAS, some parts of the draft generation plan can be improved; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission make the following recommendations to City Council to modify the generation plan. 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: To avoid both stranded investment of new combustion turbines that may not be used much beyond 2035, and to avoid increased cost of importing electricity until such time as transmission line upgrades are made, Council should consider leasing instead of owning combustion turbines. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code: The Commission is on record recommending Council require heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code because of the huge energy savings. A building code amendment process should take place, with implementation no later than October 1, 2025. 3. Passive House Pilot Program: The Commission is on record recommending Council create a pilot program for passive affordable housing. This should begin no later than October 1, 2025. 4. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program: The Commission recommends that Council implement a pilot program to make use of batteries and other Demand Response technologies. This should begin October 1, 2025. 5. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand-Side Programs The Commission recommends Council adopt the following clean energy goals: • 73% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030, including both local and non-local renewable resources. • at least 205 MWs of local solar energy by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 (including 160 MW of existing capacity). • at least 360 MW of peak efficiency savings and 269 MW of demand response peak savings by 2035. • at least 40 MW of local thermal storage by 2030 and at least 50 MW of local thermal storage by 2035. At least one thermal storage installation should be targeted at a grocery store or food processing plants. 6. …
Natural Gas Bylaw Amendments Our original language for the amendments were: (D) Review and Analyze: (5) issues concerning natural gas utilities in Austin, including fair and equitable rates and bills, energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, environmental issues related to utility system operation, assistance to low-income customers, progress on the City of Austin’s Climate Equity Plan, and franchise negotiations. (E) Advise the city council: (6) natural gas utility matters, including: fair and equitable rates and bills that minimize consumer costs, cost-effective energy efficiency programs; cost-effective renewable energy programs; research and development of new technologies for energy efficiency and renewable energy; programs that reduce the burden on low income households; gas utility progress on the City of Austin’s Climate Equity Plan; and renewal of franchises with natural gas utilities that improve the City’s financial position and align with the City’s community values. The City staff requested revisions, and the following language was created: 5. Recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. 6. Regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority.
1 Report out on Water Forward 2024 Plan, Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan Council consideration outcomes 12/3/24 Summary The Water Forward 2024, Water Conservation, and Drought Contingency Plans were recommended for Council approval by the Water Forward Task Force, Austin Water Oversight Committee of Council, Water and Wastewater Commission, and Resource Management Commission The plans were approved by Council on November 21, 2024 11/4 Water Forward Task Force 3 • Recommended on a 9-0 vote with Member Lorenz absent, with edits as Water Forward 2024 Plan noted in the meeting minutes Water Conservation Plan • Recommended on a 7-1 vote with Member Moriarty voting no and Members Lorenz and Faust absent, with edits as noted in the meeting minutes Drought Contingency Plan • Recommended on an 8-0 vote with Members Lorenz and Faust absent 4 11/12 Council’s Austin Water Oversight Committee Water Forward 2024 Plan • Recommended on a 3-0 vote with Mayor Watson absent Water Conservation Plan • Recommended on a 3-0 vote with Mayor Watson absent Drought Contingency Plan • Recommended on a 3-0 vote with Mayor Watson absent 11/13 Water & Wastewater Commission 5 • Recommended on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Musgrove, Moriarty and Water Forward 2024 Plan Vice Chair Maxwell-Gaines absent Water Conservation Plan Vice Chair Maxwell-Gaines absent Drought Contingency Plan • Recommended on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Musgrove, Moriarty and • Recommended on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Musgrove, Moriarty and Vice Chair Maxwell-Gaines absent 6 11/19 Resource Management Commission • Recommended on an 8-0 vote, with Chair Stone and Commissioner Water Conservation Plan Silverstein absent Drought Contingency Plan • Recommended on an 8-0 vote, with Chair Stone and Commissioner Silverstein absent 11/21 Council Meeting 7 Item 3: Water Forward 2024 Plan • Approved on an 11-0 vote Item 4: Water Conservation Plan • Approved as amended on an 11-0 vote Item 5: Drought Contingency Plan • Approved on an 11-0 vote Item 6: Chapter 6-4 (Water Conservation) Code Changes • Approved on an 11-0 vote 11/21 Council – WCP Amendments 8 WCP, Table 13: Five and Ten-Year Goals for Water Use CM Ryan Alter Motion 1 (included changes to plan language) Amended WCP GPCD goals to 119 in 2029 and 112 in 2034, pp. 6, 28, 31 • Vote to approve CM Ryan …
Item 3 - Review and approve the 2025 Water Forward Task Force meeting schedule 2025 Proposed Meeting Dates • February 11, 2025 • April 8, 2025 • June 10, 2025 • August 12, 2025 • October 14, 2025 • December 9, 2025 *All meetings are scheduled on Tuesdays from 12-2pm at Waller Creek Center
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20241203-001 Recommendation on Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin has participated in the review and development of a proposed generation plan for Austin Energy that will be a guiding document through 2035; and WHEREAS, the final document will be pivotal in development and implementation of clean energy programs that allow the utility to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate carbon emissions and air pollution while saving consumers money at the same time; and WHEREAS, some parts of the draft generation plan can be improved; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission make the following recommendations to City Council to modify the generation plan. 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: To avoid both stranded investment of new combustion turbines that may not be used much beyond 2035, and to avoid increased cost of importing electricity until such time as transmission line upgrades are made, Council should consider leasing instead of owning combustion turbines. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code: The Commission is on record recommending Council require heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code because of the huge energy savings. A building code amendment process should take place, with implementation no later than October 1, 2025. 3. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program: The Commission recommends that Council implement a pilot program to make use of batteries and other Demand Response technologies. This should begin October 1, 2025, and target a size of 10 MW by October 1, 2026. 4. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand-Side Programs The Commission recommends Council adopt the following clean energy goals: • 70% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030, including both local and non-local renewable resources. • at least 205 MWs of local solar energy by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 (including 160 MW of existing capacity). • at least 400 MW of peak efficiency savings and 300 MW of demand response peak savings in both summer and winter by 2035 with 2027 interim goals are at least 132 MW of energy efficiency and 78 MW of summer and winter demand response. • at least 40 MW of local thermal storage by 2030 and at least 50 MW of local thermal storage by …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20241203-001 Recommendation on Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin has participated in the review and development of a proposed generation plan for Austin Energy that will be a guiding document through 2035; and WHEREAS, the final document will be pivotal in development and implementation of clean energy programs that allow the utility to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate carbon emissions and air pollution while saving consumers money at the same time; and WHEREAS, some parts of the draft generation plan can be improved; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission make the following recommendations to City Council to modify the generation plan. 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: To avoid both stranded investment of new combustion turbines that may not be used much beyond 2035, and to avoid increased cost of importing electricity until such time as transmission line upgrades are made, Council should consider leasing instead of owning combustion turbines. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code: The Commission is on record recommending Council require heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code because of the huge energy savings. A building code amendment process should take place, with implementation no later than October 1, 2025. 3. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program: The Commission recommends that Council implement a pilot program to make use of batteries and other Demand Response technologies. This should begin October 1, 2025, and target a size of 10 MW by October 1, 2026. 4. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand-Side Programs The Commission recommends Council adopt the following clean energy goals: • 70% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030, including both local and non-local renewable resources. • at least 205 MWs of local solar energy by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 (including 160 MW of existing capacity). • at least 400 MW of peak efficiency savings and 300 MW of demand response peak savings in both summer and winter by 2035 with 2027 interim goals are at least 132 MW of energy efficiency and 78 MW of summer and winter demand response. • at least 40 MW of local thermal storage by 2030 and at least 50 MW of local thermal storage by …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20241203-002 Recommendation to Amend the Resource Management Commission Bylaws Whereas the Resource Management Commission passed recommendations 20240521-005 and 20240618- 003 regarding amendments to the bylaws of the Resource Management Commission, and Whereas changes to the amendments have been recommended by the City of Austin attorney and Whereas the Resource Management Commission agrees to these changes, Now therefore be it resolved that the Resource Management Commission amends recommendation 20240618-003 as follows: 5. Recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. 6. Regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. Date of Approval: December 3, 2024 Commissioner Louis Stone, Chair; Commissioner Paul Robbins, Vice Chair; Commissioner Charlotte Davis; Commissioner Trey Farmer; Commissioner Martin Luecke; Commissioner Dino Sasaridis; Commissioner Raphael Schwartz; Commissioner Alison Silverstein (D) Review and Analyze: (E) Advise the City Council: 8-0 None None None Vote: For: Against: Abstentions: Off Dais: Absences: Vacancies: Commissioner GeNell Gary; Commissioner Chelsey Scaffidi Mayor’s Office Attest: Natasha Goodwin, Staff Liaison
Amendments by Commissioner Schwartz 1. Incentivize Customer-Sited Batteries — The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to develop and provide incentives for customer-sited battery storage to maximize benefits to customers and the electric grid, including adoption of a program that allows all customer classes to receive an incentive for providing the utility access to customer-sited batteries, with program implementation scheduled for no later than October 2025. 2. Income-limited households - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to keep requirements of the 2030 plan for Customer Energy Solutions to target 25% of its customer engagement to be with income-limited households. 3. Lead with Energy Efficiency - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy not to decrease the pace of Energy Efficiency improvements. Noting that the last 4 years of reported energy efficiency peak load savings have averaged to 47 MW, the commission recommends to set 47 MW average as a yearly target moving forward. 4. Demand side management 1 percent goal - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to continue to aim to meet at least 1 percent of its load through energy efficiency and demand response programs on an annual basis in the residential sector. The commission recognizes that removing this goal represents a step backward for the utility. 5. Demand Response goals by 2027 - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy Austin Energy to expand Demand Response offerings by planning to reach at least 270 MW and up to 470 MW of achieved summer reductions by 2035, including at least an additional 78 MW and up to 102 MW by 2027. This includes customer-sited batteries and managed electric vehicle charging in addition to current demand response programs. Further, Austin Energy will begin moving toward demand response programs that compensate customers for actual contribution to peak load reduction for each event the customer is called on to participate in. 6. Thermal Energy - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to commit to achieving at least 40 MW of local thermal storage by 2030 and at least 50 MWs of local thermal storage by 2035. 7. Grid-scale battery storage - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to commit to installation of at least 125 MW of battery storage by 2027, recognizing that this is in line with modeling of installing both battery and natural gas peakers to meet peak demand. Austin Energy should further commit to …
Commissioner Davis’s Comments 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: I support (and is this not what "or contract for" in the plan indicates?) 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Code: I support this, but am not convinced it belongs in the Resource Gen Plan. 3. Passive House Pilot: I support this, but am not convinced it belongs in the Resource Gen Plan. Also, Council has already directed the City Manager to conduct a Passive House pilot via this resolution. 4. Battery/Virtual Power Plant: I support, and isn't this what AE's Solar For All grant is looking to do? 5. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand Side Programs: The proposed efficiency and demand response reductions appear to be less ambitious than what is in the plan. Also want to understand the grocery store/ food processing plant piece. 6. Remove Nuclear Language: Neutral 7. Revise Green Choice Program: I support this, but am not convinced it belongs in the Resource Gen Plan. 8. Conservation Based Electric Rate Pilot: How is this different from the demand response goals in the draft plan? Why is this a Resource Gen Plan issue vs. a rate case issue? 9. Study of Ways to Reduce (the cost of) Rooftop Solar: I support this, but am not convinced that it belongs in the Resource Gen Plan. Having an aggressive goal for MW of installed local solar is preferable. 10. Tiered Incentive for Structures Exceeding Building Code: Seems like it could be a good idea, not convinced it belongs in Resource Gen Plan.
Draft Resolution on Austin Energy Generation Plan WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin has participated in the review and development of a proposed generation plan for Austin Energy that will be a guiding document through 2035; and WHEREAS, the final document will be pivotal in development and implementation of clean energy programs that allow the utility to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate carbon emissions and air pollution while saving consumers money at the same time; and WHEREAS, some parts of the draft generation plan can be improved; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission make the following recommendations to City Council to modify the generation plan. 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: To avoid both stranded investment of new combustion turbines that may not be used much beyond 2035, and to avoid increased cost of importing electricity until such time as transmission line upgrades are made, Council should consider leasing instead of owning combustion turbines. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code: The Commission is on record recommending Council require heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code because of the huge energy savings. A building code amendment process should take place, with implementation no later than October 1, 2025. 3. Passive House Pilot Program: The Commission is on record recommending Council create a pilot program for passive affordable housing. This should begin no later than October 1, 2025. WITHDRAWN Motion: Farmer, Second: Silverstein Approved: 8-0 3. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program: The Commission recommends that Council implement a pilot program to make use of batteries and other Demand Response technologies. This should begin October 1, 2025, and target a size of 10 MW by October 1, 2026. Motion: Farmer, Second: Robbins Approved: 8-0 4.. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand-Side Programs The Commission recommends Council adopt the following clean energy goals: • 70% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030, including both local and non-local renewable resources. • at least 205 MWs of local solar energy by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 (including 160 MW of existing capacity). • at least 400 MW of peak efficiency savings and 300 MW of demand response peak savings in both summer and winter by 2035 with 2027 interim goals are at least 132 MW of energy …
Draft Resolution on Austin Energy Generation Plan WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin has participated in the review and development of a proposed generation plan for Austin Energy that will be a guiding document through 2035; and WHEREAS, the final document will be pivotal in development and implementation of clean energy programs that allow the utility to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate carbon emissions and air pollution while saving consumers money at the same time; and WHEREAS, some parts of the draft generation plan can be improved; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission make the following recommendations to City Council to modify the generation plan. 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: To avoid both stranded investment of new combustion turbines that may not be used much beyond 2035, and to avoid increased cost of importing electricity until such time as transmission line upgrades are made, Council should consider leasing instead of owning combustion turbines. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code: The Commission is on record recommending Council require heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code because of the huge energy savings. A building code amendment process should take place, with implementation no later than October 1, 2025. 3. Passive House Pilot Program: The Commission is on record recommending Council create a pilot program for passive affordable housing. This should begin no later than October 1, 2025. WITHDRAWN Motion: Farmer, Second: Silverstein Approved: 8-0 3. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program: The Commission recommends that Council implement a pilot program to make use of batteries and other Demand Response technologies. This should begin October 1, 2025, and target a size of 10 MW by October 1, 2026. Motion: Farmer, Second: Robbins Approved: 8-0 4.. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand-Side Programs The Commission recommends Council adopt the following clean energy goals: • 70% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030, including both local and non-local renewable resources. • at least 205 MWs of local solar energy by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 (including 160 MW of existing capacity). • at least 400 MW of peak efficiency savings and 300 MW of demand response peak savings in both summer and winter by 2035 with 2027 interim goals are at least 132 MW of energy …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20241203-005: Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative WHEREAS, Congress Avenue has often been described as the “Main Street of Texas” and a place for commerce, gathering, and community; WHEREAS, initial funding for the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative was allocated as part of the 2020 Mobility Bond Contract with the Voters; WHEREAS, the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) Vision Plan envisions Congress Avenue as a more human-centered, multimodal, complete street with a public plaza from 7th - 11th Street and a rebalanced complete street from Cesar Chavez - 7th Street; WHEREAS, the Phase 1 Austin Core Transportation Plan Phase I Survey results indicated residents wanted more access to downtown via biking, walking, and scootering, and preferred those modes over carpooling, ridesharing, and driving alone; WHEREAS, TxDOT’s traffic counting station between 9th and 10th Street on Congress Ave (227HP5352) observed a 57% decrease in Annual Average Daily Traffic for motor vehicles on the segment from 8,319 in 2015 to 3,539 in 2023; WHEREAS, the Downtown Austin Alliance found Congress Ave had an average of 12,066 pedestrian trips per day in March 2024; WHEREAS, the 3rd Street Bike Lane sees an average of 827 bicyclists on weekends (not including traffic on Congress Ave), the highest of any bike traffic counter in Austin; WHEREAS, in Q3 2024, the Congress Ave bridge saw an average of 468 daily scooter trips, accounting for 6.5% of all scooter trips through the city; WHEREAS, the Downtown street network is 1% of Austin’s overall network but accounts for 12% of all pedestrian crashes and 17% of intersection-related pedestrian crashes. WHEREAS, the CAUDI plan would result in a reduction of only 0.27% of all publicly available downtown parking spaces and 1.5% of all downtown on-street parking spaces; WHEREAS, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Councils, Safe Streets Austin, CNU-CTX, and many other organizations have expressed their general support for the initiative and suggested changes to enhance the design; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission expresses its support for the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) Vision Plan and urges the City Manager to take all action necessary to ensure full adoption of the plan; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the City Manager uses this opportunity to fully implement City Council Resolutions No. 20170622-033 and 20091119-070 to implement a Civlovia on Congress Avenue as a …
