Motioned By: Date: March 26, 2024 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240326-13 Supporting Early Childhood Education and Development Funding Subject: FY24 Budget Recommendations Description of Recommendation to Council ● $1.5 M Austin Public Health multi-year allocation to Early Childhood Education and Recommendation Early childhood educators, caregivers and parents of young children deserve livable wages and affordable childcare: the two are not mutually exclusive. Local governments are crucial to investing/highlighting early childhood educators especially when state and federal governments are not. Childcare is a public good, it is economic infrastructure. Seconded By: D R A F T parents with high needs they are available ○ $500,000 Pilot early childhood mini-grants providing emergency financial relief for home-based licensed providers and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers; Center Based Care ○ Earmark $250,000 to fund a future contract with a qualified nonprofit, selected through a competitive bidding process, to provide health insurance support and ACA website navigation assistance, specifically for the early childhood workforce. Support specific to Early Childhood providers can include, but is not limited to: ■ Education on required documentation ■ Ability to schedule appointments with Early Childhood providers when care providers and families (toys, curriculum, technology, etc) available at APH Neighborhood Centers and APL branch libraries. ○ $250,000 to establish a no-cost lending library & EC resource center for child ■ Directly dispersed to childcare centers & registered licensed to support ○ $500,000 Early childhood education and development scholarships Development funding: ● Recommend updating the eligibility focus to include home-based childcare providers (licensed and FFN). Rationale: The cost of childcare is one of the biggest expenses families face. It is a daunting task to find affordable, high quality childcare. According to UT News, “The average cost for infant care in Texas is $777 per month, or $9,324 per year — nearly 14% of the state’s median household income of $67,321 and more expensive than a year of in-state tuition at a four-year public college.” Every child in Austin should be able to access high quality childcare without causing financial strain on the family. Childcare providers may encounter financial burdens that make it difficult for them to provide services on a consistent basis. Unexpected issues can derail childcare services. It can take time to navigate insurance claims while continuing to try and run a business. There are times the home-based childcare center may have to close as a …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240326-10 Family Stabilization Program as a Mechanism for Promoting Housing Stability Date: March 26, 2024 Subject: FY25 Budget Recommendations Motioned By: We continue to hear from the community concerns regarding underfunding of immigration legal services. Only a small number of individuals are served with the current funding. There are very few organizations in Austin that have the ability to provide legal services to our immigrant communities pro bono. One of the service providers is American Gateways. They are currently only able to meet 25% of the need. The need for legal services continues to expand due to the complicated immigration legal system. Seconded By: D R A F T WHEREAS, we continue to hear from the community that legal services funding is crucial; and WHEREAS, there are immigrants who need access to counsel, and cannot afford attorneys. This is especially so for immigrants facing removal proceedings; and WHEREAS, in a time of changes in immigration policy, people have more need for legal representation, as it has become very complicated; and WHEREAS, it is essential that immigrant communities obtain accurate advice and assistance; and WHEREAS, the people most impacted by the complicated changes in immigration policy are low-income immigrants; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin funds legal services for low income immigrants who are Austin residents, and there is still unmet need; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life recommends that the $490,000 allocated in FY 2023-2024 for immigration legal services become a permanent budget allocation in FY 2024-2025 and beyond. Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: Amanda Afifi, Chair Commissioner Neri, Commissioner Silva, Commissioner Afifi, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Perales, Commissioner Castañeda, Commissioner Galvan, Commissioner Jackson Jr., Commissioner May, Commissioner Vigil, Commissioner Maldonado D R A F T
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 2 0 2 3 0 2 1 2 ‐ 6 FOR Budget for LGBTQIA+ AFFIRMING MENTAL HEALTHCARE WHEREAS the City of Austin’s 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study identified that the Austin‐Round Rock‐Georgetown metropolitan area had the 3rd largest percentage of LGBTQIA+ people in the United States, with about 5.0% or 90,000 people identifying as LGBTQIA+; and WHEREAS the City of Austin currently has an estimated 475‐person waitlist for LGBTQIA+‐focused mental health services; and WHEREAS the City of Austin’s 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study found that respondents are at high risk for serious mental health issues, including 42% for depression and 12% for suicidal ideation; and WHEREAS the City of Austin’s 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study respondents reported having to put off getting health‐related services in the past 12 months because of the cost of dental care (29%), mental health care (21%), medical care (18%), and gender‐affirming care (9%) among the top services avoided due to cost; and WHEREAS the City of Austin’s 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study respondents were asked about how they rate their overall mental health since the pandemic, more than half (52%) of the 1,882 respondents rated their mental health as fair, poor, or very poor, a sizeable increase in mental health concerns; and WHEREAS nearly half (45%) of respondents in the Austin‐based QWELL Community Foundation’s 2021 survey rated their mental health as poor or fair; and WHEREAS according to the 2022 Austin Public Health Community Health Assessment, there exists significant mental health needs including stigma and limited access to mental health care. Among Travis County residents, the suicide rate was 12.2 deaths per 100,000 population and highest among males (18.5 deaths per 100,000 population) and White residents (17.1 deaths per 100,000 population) in 2016‐ 2020. In 2020, a higher percentage of females (33.0%) compared to males (20.9%) reported poor mental health, and the prevalence of poor mental health days has increased by 7 overall for both genders. In the same year, a higher percentage of Hispanic/Latino adults (31.5%) reported poor mental health compared to White (26.3%) and Black/African American (22.9%) adults. In 2020, the highest proportion of adults experiencing poor mental health was seen among adults aged 18‐29 (32.6%) and 30‐44 years of age (34.3%); and WHEREAS, of the seven million dollars of mental health funding in FY24 social service contracts, only $161,673 (2%) provides …
RECOMMENDATION 03112023‐2 Funding for Emergency Housing Assistance WHEREAS Aus(cid:415)n con(cid:415)nues to face a housing affordability crisis par(cid:415)cularly impac(cid:415)ng renters that have seen mul(cid:415)ple years of rental increases, and WHEREAS the LGBTQ Quality of Life Study noted that the increased cost of rental housing was the highest‐ranked domain of priority for par(cid:415)cipants in the town hall mee(cid:415)ngs, and WHEREAS, in the referenced Study, 10% of respondents indicated they had been homeless in the last 5 years, 65% of respondents spent 30% or more of their income on housing while 9% spent more than half of their income, and WHEREAS the City of Aus(cid:415)n provided funding for a program en(cid:415)tled “I Belong in Aus(cid:415)n” to provide emergency assistance for renters in danger of losing their housing including short‐term rental assistance as well as moving and storage expenses to lessen the impact of forced reloca(cid:415)on, and WHEREAS “I Belong in Aus(cid:415)n” had over 800 people on the wai(cid:415)ng list when the program began this year, and that wai(cid:415)ng list quickly grew to 4,000 before being capped at that number indica(cid:415)ng the con(cid:415)nuing need for this assistance, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Aus(cid:415)n City Council approve con(cid:415)nued funding in the next fiscal year based on an evalua(cid:415)on of the program’s effec(cid:415)veness in preven(cid:415)ng homelessness for diverse clients to mi(cid:415)gate the affordability crisis and accomplish strategic goals related to housing stabiliza(cid:415)on, economic opportunity, and affordability.
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES Feb 28, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Permitting and Development Center. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:09 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Jon Salinas, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Christopher Campbell, Haris Qureshi, Charlotte Davis, Larry Franklin Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Diana Wheeler, Stephanie Bazan, Melissa Rothrock, Amy Noel, Heather Houser, Alberta Phillips Board Members Absent: Yure Suarez, Bertha Delgado City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala, Zach Baumer CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION • Charlie Mossburger – St. Edwards Civic lab. o Spoke about ‘Get Fertilizer Wiser’ program to replace plants that have low fertilizer requirements • Chioma Okoro – street nurse o Spoke about mental health initiatives 1. Approval of minutes from the Jan 24th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. • Qureshi motions to approve, Davis seconds, passes on 13-0 vote (Franklin, Phillips off dais) 2. Discussion on the benefits of adopting and implementing the Great Streets Initiative –Kevin Howard • Presentation on Great Streets Initiative • Commissioners discussed details and logistics of supporting a measure at length. 15. Approve a recommendation supporting adoption and implementation of the Great Streets Initiative. • Proposed amendments to clarify goals, add safety for bicycles and peds. • Salinas motions to support goals of Great Streets Initiative. Salinas motions, Davis seconds, passes 14-0 (Phillips off dais). 3. Discussion of next steps on the Environmental Investment Plan Resolution (Item 25 from 2/15 Council Meeting). • JSC will need to hold public hearing in May/Apr • Mar – broad, public input • Apr – narrow, possible staff draft list • May 1 – JSC presentation due; May 30 – staff response due • This is parallel with budget recommendations • JSC has commissioners over many of the plans. Homework for March meeting – each working group to look at each of the plans related to their group. • White to write a short message to share with home commissions 16. Creation of working group to advise on public input and recommendations that are responsive to the Environmental Investment Plan (Item 25 passed by the Austin City Council on 2/15). • Office of Sustainability staff support for working group • White, Leal, Scott, Qureshi, Davis, Salinas, Campbell, Franklin volunteer to be on • White motions to create a …
A Food Plan for Austin-Travis County Find your seat at the table Some Food for Thought Developing a Food Plan What is a Food Plan & why do we need one? ● A Food Plan sets clear Goals and Strategies to move toward a more equitable, sustainable & resilient food system ● The Food Plan builds on several other initiatives made by the County, City, and Communities to tackle key food system issues. ● The Food Plan centers equity and the lived expertise of those most impacted by the current food system Good to Know ● On June 2021 Austin City Council directed the City Manager to initiate a planning process ● Travis County Commissioners Court approved formal participation in the plan in fall 2022 ● A draft was released on March 18th and it’s now open for public comment. Link to full resolution Project Timeline Phase 0: Planning for the Plan Phase 1: Vision Development Phase 2: Goal & Strategy Development Phase 3: Review and Ground truthing September 2021 - January 2023 March - August 2023 September 2023 - February 2024 February - Summer/Fall 2024 We are here ● ● ● ● Building Community Awareness 📰 Release of State of the Food System Report 📚 Onboarding Planning Consultant⭐ Recruitment of Community Teams🚀 ● Website launch 📶 ● World Cafe’s ☕ ● ● ● ● Listening Sessions & Tabling at events 📞 Equity Grounding Workshops 🤝 Community Circles 👐 Selecting Issue Area Groups🍽 ● ● ● ● Issue Area Group Meetings 🏘 Develop Goals and Strategies 🎯 Review Goals and Strategies Develop a draft for the Food Plan 🖊 ● ● ● ● Community Review of Plan 👀 Council and Commissioner Review ⚖ Approval 👍 Adoption 🏁 Co-creating the plan ● Planning Team: Coordinating and managing all moving parts ○ Includes: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ City of Austin staff Travis County staff Consultant Team Equity Consultants Austin Travis Food Policy Board Executive Leadership Team ● Community Advisory Committee: Advisory body overseeing the planning process ● Issue Area Groups: Developing goals and strategies for the plan ● Community Food Ambassadors: Connecting the plan to our communities ● Broader community feedback: Provide input at different stages of the plan Food Plan Structure ● Vision: Describes and articulates our shared aim - the kind of future we agree we would like to move toward together. ● Objectives: The ends towards …
20240215-025 “Environmental Investment Plan” March 27, 2024 1 Resolution 20240215-025 Reaffirm commitment to net-zero by 2040, act with urgency. Prepare options and costs of capital improvements or programs that would: 1. Reduce carbon emissions 2. Decrease water usage and improve water quality and detention 3. Advance the sustainability of City Operations, and 4. Improve Community Resilience Public hearing of the JSC in March (27) / April (24) to gather input from the public JSC to submit any recommendations for investments to Council by May 1 Review whether recommendations can be funded through: - Utility rates and fees - General Fund Expenditures - Grants - General Obligation Bonds (may include Nov 2024) 2 Resolution 20240215-025 Analyze investments needed to fulfill the following adopted plans: - Climate Equity Plan - Water Forward - Watershed Protection Strategic Plan - Green Infrastructure Strengths and Gaps Assessment - One Austin: Climate Resilience Action Plan - Austin Strategic Mobility Plan - ARR Comprehensive Plan - AE Resource Generation Plan - - Austin Travis County Wildfire Preparedness Plan - Central Texas Regional Air Quality Plan - Urban Forest Plan - Austin Travis County Food Plan, State of the Food System Report, & Supply Chain Vulnerability PARD Land Management Plan and Long Range Plan Assessment Analysis should also identify options for fulfilling either all or specific elements of these plans before their current target date. 3 Resolution 20240215-025 Identify capital improvements and programs that would maximize potential Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, and to develop a mechanism for reinvestment of reimbursement from such credits into similarly climate-focused capital improvements and programs, where appropriate. Provide information detailing recommendations or actions taken to promote inter-departmental coordination to ensure that departments have an aligned approach to combating the threats of the climate crisis and natural hazards, including wildfire and flooding. Present to the City Council on or before May 30,2024, with an update of the Austin Climate Equity Plan dashboard, a combined inventory of plan recommendations, and a briefing or memo on applications and opportunities for federal funding relevant to an environmental investment plan. Public hearing on May 30 to consider this Environmental Investment Plan 4 What are they really looking for? Council Member R. Alter’s Office communicated that: - They’re not looking for business as usual spending. - They’re not looking for spending to make annual incremental progress. - They’re looking for the DELTA between our current trajectory and fully …
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240327-XX Date: March 27, 2024 Subject: Austin Energy Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendations on the FY 24-25 Budget Description of Recommendation to Council 1. Low-Income Bill Discounts: Austin Energy customers pay a dedicated Customer Assistance Program fee to provide bill discounts for low-income customers. The purpose of this fee is to provide needed support in a transparent way. Forcing solar to pay for low-income discounts (as is the current structure of Austin Energy’s Community Solar program) only serves to slow the transition to clean energy. Low-income discounts are needed regardless of the source of energy. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that all bill discounts for lower-income residents be paid from the Customer Assistance Program fund, including bill discounts for low-income Community Solar subscribers. 2. Transmission Improvements: Improvements to Austin Energy’s transmission system are essential for mitigating local congestion that increases costs to the utility and customers and for enabling the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Austin Energy commissioned a study that identified five recommended types of transmission upgrades. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that these recommended upgrades be implemented as quickly as possible and that sufficient funding be allocated to this need to ensure that that of funds is not a source of delay. 3. Fayette Coal Plant: Austin Energy and the Austin City Council have established that shutting down Austin Energy’s portion of the Fayette coal plant is a top priority. Investing in an asset that the utility is actively trying to shut down is not a prudent use of ratepayer or utility funds. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the budget not include any capital investments in Fayette.
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240327-XX Date: March 27, 2024 Subject: Food Plan Budget Recommendation Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendations on the FY 24-25 Budget Description of Recommendation to Council Food Plan Implementation: The Austin/Travis County Food Plan will soon be completed. The plan includes a number of strategies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Austin Climate Equity Plan also includes strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food consumption and to improve carbon sequestration as part of food production. This work is complex and has the potential to yield significant emissions and equity benefits. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that: one (1) Food Plan Project Manager be added to the Office of Sustainability. (est. $150,000) In addition to implementing the Food Plan, this position should be responsible for implementation of the strategies related to food consumption and food production in the Climate Equity Plan.
Joint Sustainability Committee | Navigating Funding Opportunities Council Resolution Key Takeaways • Identify capital improvements and programs that would maximize potential Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, and develop a mechanism for reinvestments of reimbursement from such credits into similarly climate focused capital improvements and programs. • Review and identify which investments from the Committee have the option of being funded through utility rates and fees, general fund expenditures, grants, and/or bond instruments. Resolution: https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=424874 Funding Sources FY 2024 All City Operating Funds – $5.5 Billion Convention Center 5% Aviation 5% Austin Water 13% Austin Resource Recovery 2% General Fund Operations 24% GO Debt Service 4% Internal Service Operations 7% Other Expenses 6% Watershed Protection 2% Austin Energy 28% Transportation and Public Works 4% Funding Sources Utility Rates and Fees • $1.7 billion projected revenue for FY 2024. • 90% from rates and 10% from fees. • AE’s major expenditures include power supply costs, wholesale transmission costs, operating and maintenance expenses, debt service, investment in capital improvements, and transfers to the City’s General Fund. • Energy Efficiency Programs funded by the Community Benefit Charge include: • Rebates and incentives for energy efficiency improvements • Rebates for installation of rooftop solar systems • Austin Energy Green Building Program Funding Sources Utility Rates and Fees • $698.2 million projected revenue for FY 2023‐24. AW utilizes water and wastewater rate revenue through their operating budget and capital improvement program. • AW’s major expenditures include operating and maintenance costs, debt service payments, and transfers to other City funds, including the General Fund, Utility Billing Support, and Administrative Support. • GoPurple Program ‐ Increases use of reclaimed water in and around Austin. By 2040, onsite water reuse will save an estimated 6 million gallons of potable water per day. o Funded through a combination of fees and rates. Funding Sources FY 2024 General Fund Revenue – $1.4 Billion Sales Tax 27.8% Other Revenue 13.1% Utility Transfers 12.1% Property Tax 47.0% Funding Sources FY 2024 Budgeted General Fund Expenditures – 1.4 Billion Police 35% Housing and Planning 2% Parks and Recreation 9% Forensic Science 1% Municipal Court 3% Animal Services 2% EMS 9% Transfers & Other 7% Fire 18% Austin Public Health 9% Library 5% Funding Sources General Fund • The General Fund mainly consists of revenue from property taxes, sales taxes, and utility transfers. $1.4 billion projected revenue for FY 2023‐24. • The General Fund can …
Parks and Recreation Board Fiscal Year 24/25 Budget Recommendation: Reed Additional Recommendation #1: Funding for three (3) FTE positions to implement PARD’s Land Management Plan. Rationale: • On Sept. 21, 2023 the Austin City Council approved the Recommended Land Management Strategies and Climate Vulnerability Analysis for Austin Parks and Recreation Department natural areas • Five (5) FTEs needed to implement the plan, 0 FTEs were assigned • 2 FTEs were allocated in FY24 budget amendment • The estimated need is ~$200/ac ongoing for staffing and O&M, based on internal cost estimates and comparisons with similar programs • The Land Management Plan supports Austin’s Climate Equity Plan Goal #1: By 2030, legally protect an additional 20,000 acres of carbon pools on natural lands and manage all new and existing natural areas (approximately 70,000 acres total), focusing on resilience. • The Land Management Plan supports Austin/Travis County Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan (CWPP), Parks and Recreation Long Range Plan for 2020- 2030, and Green Infrastructure Strengths and Gaps Assessment for the City of Austin Reed Additional Recommendation #2: Funding for 14 additional FTEs for PARD Grounds Maintenance Team, to align with same level of service in FY14. Rationale: (This information was provided by my appointing Council Member Alison Alter’s office from research by Budget Office Staff and PARD.) Budget Office and PARD Staffing has identified that funding for CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) has not always included funding for ongoing Operations and Maintenance staff for new projects. PARD has provided data for its ground maintenance team comparing FY14 with FY23 budgeted and actual expenditures. PARD’s analysis shows that attaining ‘ideal’ service levels would require 190.4 FTEs for their grounds maintenance team, an increase of 70.4 FTEs from its current authorization. PARD has provided data for its ground maintenance team comparing FY14 with FY23 budgeted and actual expenditures. Over this nine-year period, the budget for this team has grown from $7,279,052 to $13,296,168, an increase of $6,017,116, or 82.7%. Actual expenses by this team were $7,083,168 in FY14 and $12,960,218 in FY23, an increase of $5,877,050 or 83.0%. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in labor costs associated with significant increases in the City’s living wage. For instance, while Parks Grounds Assistants earned as little as $12.31 per hour in FY14, the current base wage for these positions is $20.80 per hour. PARD has created a model for FY23 based on estimated man …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: THROUGH: FROM: Mayor and Council Members Stephanie Hayden Howard, LMSW, Assistant City Manager Kimberly A. McNeeley, M.Ed., CPRP, Director Austin Parks and Recreation Department February 21, 2024 DATE: SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Department Land Management Plan Update FY24 Q1 _____________________________________________________________________________ This memo serves as an update on the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s (PARD) implementation of the Recommended Land Management Strategies and Climate Vulnerability Analysis, also referred to as the PARD land management plan. This Plan, approved by Council in September 2023, guides PARD’s efforts to actively restore natural areas, mitigate wildfire risk, and provide vital ecosystem services to the Austin area. The PARD Land Management Program (Program) is the Department work group primarily responsible for, among other tasks, implementing the PARD land management plan. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, the Program focused on implementing restoration and fuel mitigation treatments, establishing new contracts for vegetation management, hiring new full-time employees created through the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, and applying for grant funding. Land Management Program The Program is comprised of four positions and a total general fund budget of $852,814. Personnel Environmental Conservation Program Manager Environmental Program Coordinator Environmental Program Coordinator Environmental Scientist Manages PARD Land Management Program Community outreach and manages programs including Wildlife Austin Leads ecological restoration and fuel mitigation operations Leads environmental monitoring and research, GIS analysis, and implements land management activities $499,923 Existing Existing Allocated FY2024/position posted Allocated FY2024/position posted Page 1 of 3 Contracts/Commodities $387,891 Expenses such as contracted restoration work, equipment, tools, safety equipment, fencing, signage, professional development, fuel, utilities, toll charges, vehicle repairs and maintenance, office supplies, and computer equipment. $35,000 852,814 Expense Refund TOTAL Staff from PARD’s Forestry and Park Ranger Programs were temporarily assigned to assist with planning and oversight of contracted fuel mitigation projects while new full-time staff are recruited, hired, and onboarded. First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Accomplishments 621 acres of prescribed burns have been planned and permitted for completion this year. In November 2023, the Program hosted wildland fire training for Austin Civilian Conservation Corps members and additional staff from PARD, The Nature Conservancy, Austin Water, and the UT Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. These and other organizations assist with prescribed burns on parkland through cooperative agreements. The Program also completed 44 acres of other ecological restoration treatments. Up to 300 acres are …
COLD WEATHER SHELTERS IN PARD Devon Farber, MSRLS, CPRP David Crabb, Division Manager AGENDA • Overview • Summary Data • Clients Served • Program Staff INTRODUCTION • In Fiscal Year 2024, the Parks and Recreation Department provided cold weather shelters to those in need during periods of inclement weather. This presentation will provide an overview of the response, including the number of guests served, the dates of operation, and the staff involved. • The decision to open Cold Weather Shelters is typically made daily in coordination with multiple departments based on temperature thresholds. CWS are activated if the overnight weather meets the activation criteria: •32 degrees or colder overnight •35 degrees, with rain/wet •35 degrees, with wind chill of 32 or colder THE DATA • 12 total days of operation this FY • Jan 13-Jan 20 8 consecutive days Jan 14 - Wed Jan 17 24/7 operation Total served: 3,167 guests • Total staff hours by seasonal staff: 878.5 • 14 Community Rec exempt staff assisted in the efforts • City shelters housed and fed 209, 404, 659, 590 and 405 people per night for a total of 2,267 people served at 7 shelters over 5 days, a record number. • The City partners with the Austin Area Urban League to manage shelter operations at 3 sites, and Cap Metro to coordinate transportation. GUESTS SERVED Total Guests served: 3,167 Men: 2,533 Women: 634 Pets: 27 COMMUNITY RECREATION MANAGERS Devon Farber Delano Brown West Baxter Kelly Maltsberger North District Program Manager Central District Program Manager South District Program Manager Seniors 50+ Program Manager Tamika Bateman Gus Garcia Rec Center Marco Olivares Austin Rec Center Clay Shelton Northwest Rec Center Russell Diggs Dove Springs Rec Center Billy James Turner-Roberts / Parque Zaragoza Rec Center Mark Vasquez Montopolis Rec Center PROGRAM SUPERVISORS OF COLD WEATHER SHELTERS SUMMARY • The FY2024 Parks and Recreation Cold Weather Shelter program has been instrumental in providing relief to thousands of individuals and families during cold weather conditions. With dedicated supervisors and program managers, as well as multiple sites operating efficiently, the initiative has significantly contributed to the welfare of the community during adverse weather situations.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S UPDATE DATE: March 2024 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS: Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center Renovation: The groundbreaking ceremony on February 22nd at the Barton Springs Bathhouse marked the start of renovations to the Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center and Splash! exhibit. Staff are working diligently to ensure that the new exhibit will be an engaging educational experience for its estimated 1 million annual visitors. For updates on this project, visit the Barton Springs Bathhouse Rehabilitation website. District 8 Jamestown Neighborhood Park: Austin Parks Foundation is leading the development of a concept plan for this undeveloped park. The first community meeting took place on March 5 (view recording). Now the community is invited to provide additional feedback through April 2 by responding to the community survey. Austin Parks Foundation is connecting with a Community Outreach Group to ensure community members can contribute to the future plans for this park. Community Survey: English | Spanish Project Webpage District 4 Bolm District Park Vision Plan: The second round of community engagement to gather input on preliminary concept designs for the undeveloped park is ongoing. The Community Survey #2: Preliminary Concepts (English| Spanish) is available online through March 24. Project staff will be hosting an in person pop-up at Cepeda Branch Library on Tuesday, March 19. Summary of first round engagement and concept boards will be on display and staff will be on hand to answer questions. Spanish interpretation will also be available. Additional project information and updates can be located on the project webpage. Pop-Up at Cepeda Branch Tuesday, March 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 651 N Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin, TX 78702 District 3 Duncan Neighborhood Park: A ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of landscape improvements at Duncan Neighborhood Park is planned for 11 a.m. on April 13th. Park improvements include a new ADA-accessible park walkway connecting the park entrances on 9th and 10th Street, enhanced picnic areas, new central lawn and meadow plantings, and an enhanced wetland that collects water from two existing ephemeral seeps. The contractor, Muniz Concrete and Contracting, began work on the improvements in late May of 2023. District 9 https://www.austintexas.gov/department/duncan-park-improvements 1 The newly improved Duncan Neighborhood Park PLANNING UPDATES: Chapter 26 cases on Braker Lane and Old Lampasas Dam: The Parks and Recreation Department (Department) set public hearings for May 2nd to consider the permanent change of use of an existing …
Code Amendments for Bedroom Window Requirements Engagement Format • Presentation followed by question and answer session • Two ways to participate: - Written questions can be handed in; they will be read aloud and answered live. - Raise your hand. A microphone will be provided for you to ask one question out loud. (We can return to you if you have additional questions) What Prompted the Proposed Changes? • Concerns about UT student housing were shared with Council Member Zo Quadri's office. • The concerns focused on the code compliance of windowless bedrooms. • This led to conversations with DSD and AIA Austin about amending code related to windowless bedrooms and resulted in the creation of an Austin City Council Resolution. Austin City Council Resolution – Sept. 2023 • Initiated Code amendments to require access to natural light for all sleeping rooms in new buildings • The intent of the amendment is to provide natural light to all sleeping rooms in commercial construction, whether it be borrowed or direct light to the outside through a window. • Included proposed language for the Code amendments • Directed the City Manager to bring a proposed ordinance to Council before August 2024 Timeline for Bedroom Window Code Amendment Process* * Dates subject to change Code Adoption Timeline* • If approved in April 2024, the bedroom window amendments will go into effect on May 1, 2024*. • Upon approval these amendments will be carried over to the 2024 Code • If the 2024 code amendments are approved by City Council, it is anticipated that they will go into effect in 2025.* * Dates subject to change 2021 International Bldg Code (IBC) Chapter 2 Definitions Dwelling Unit – A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. Sleeping Unit - A single unit that provides rooms or spaces for one or more persons, includes permanent provisions for sleeping and can include provisions for living, eating and either sanitation or kitchen facilities but not both. Such rooms and spaces that are also part of a dwelling unit are not sleeping units. 2021 International Bldg Code (IBC) Section 1204 Lighting 1204.1 General Every space intended for human occupancy shall be provided with natural light by means of exterior glazed openings in accordance with Section 1204.2 and shall be provided with artificial light in …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240327-5 March 27, 2024 Duct Bank at Waller Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park Date: Subject: Motioned By: Kathryn Flowers Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board recommends to Austin City Council to approve the permanent use and temporary use, not to exceed 160 days, of parkland located at Waller Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park (30 East Ave). Total mitigation fee is $1,774,993. Vote Seconded By: Lane Becker The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to approve the permanent use and temporary use, not to exceed 160 days, of parkland located at Waller Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park (30 East Ave). Total mitigation fee is $1,774,993 was approved on Vice Chair Flowers’ motion, Board Member Becker’s second on a 9-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Member Bazan absent. For: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Lane Becker, Jennifer Franklin, Julie Hayes, Nicole Merritt, Shelby Orme, Holly Reed, Kim Taylor. Against: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Stephanie Bazan. Attest: Tim Dombeck, Board and Council Liaison, Parks and Recreation Department.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20240327-3 March 27, 2024 Date: Subject: Motioned By: Lane Becker Recommendation Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Recommendation Seconded By: Nicole Merritt The Parks and Recreation Board recommends to the Austin City Council: 1. The allocation of sufficient additional funding on top of any proposed PARD FY2025 Budget to begin the process of addressing the under resourcing of recreation centers and senior centers, both in programming and physical capacity, including: a. Continuation of existing staff study and proposal of a potential bond for capital improvement projects identified as high priority for investment in the forthcoming PARD - Recreation and Senior Center Facility Assessment & Gap Analysis report. Potential priorities include but are not limited to: shade structures, increased headcount for PARD staff to run programming, additional recreational and/or senior facility space in areas identified as high need, and an expansion in adaptive services. (~$80,000, potentially in existing staff time) b. Additional part-time and/or hourly staff to accommodate more children during summer camps at facilities where space has been identified and expansion is possible, to total no fewer than 5 FTE ($150,000) 2. The allocation of additional funding on top of any proposed PARD FY2025 Budget to address the following needs outlined in the Climate Equity Plan: a. Carbon Neutral Public Lands (Climate Equity Plan Goal 4) i. The installation of efficient automated/drip irrigation on PARD property with native trees and landscaping, with priority near underserved communities with lower access to nature in East Austin, using reclaimed water wherever practical ($250,000) ii. Additional annual funding to be allocated for the maintenance of existing installations and irrigation systems ($150,000) iii. A full-time Program Manager positions (1 FTE) to be created and funded to plan land management projects and identify and apply for funding to implement them ($150,000) 3. The allocation of additional funding to the appropriate department to address the following needs outlined in the Climate Equity Plan: a. Converting Impervious Cover to Functional Green (Climate Equity Plan Goal 4) i. Audit of City-owned non-functional or unnecessary impervious cover, including surface-level parking lots, and develop a plan to convert an ambitious percentage of these to functional green uses as soon as practical ($200,000) 1 of 4 b. No Mow Signage (Climate Equity Plan Goal 4) i. Permanent signage to show city land is not being neglected but rather managed for wildlife. Signage should be prioritized in low income and …
