Item 17 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 Electric Utility Commission February 12, 2024 Cyrus Reed, Chair, EUC Resource Plan WG Kaiba White, Vice-Chair, EUC Resource Plan WG 1 Overview 1. Working Group Members & Process 2. Setting the Context for Recommendations a. City climate goal - net zero by 2040, w/ most reductions by 2030 b. High ERCOT prices and obligations c. Price separation d. e. f. Green hydrogen not ready Federal money available Local air pollution should be avoided 3. Our Preferred Resource Mix a. Demand Reduction First b. No Coal ASAP c. Reduced Gas (REACH), retire by 2035 d. e. f. g. Affordability Goal Future Studies & Process Solar and Renewables Expanded Storage EVs 4. 2 EUC Resource Planning Working Group Members EUC WG consisted of 16 Members: 5 from EUC, 4 from RMC and 7 additional Cyrus Reed Electric Utility Commission Christian Fogerty Sunrise Austin Kaiba White Electric Utility Commission Micalah Spenrath residential customer Dave Tuttle Electric Utility Commission Autumn Gallardo Foundation Communities Randy Chapman Electric Utility Commission Al Braden residential customer Mick Long Electric Utility Commission Rodrigo Leal Joint Sustainability Committee Alison Silverstein Resource Management Commission Paul Robbins Resource Management Commission GeNell Gary Resource Management Commission Melissa Caragati Resource Management Commission Jim Stanway Samsung Marian Sanchez PODER 3 EUC Workgroup Process ● WG analyzed 11 Austin Energy scenarios, 4 additional scenarios, separate presentations from associations and vendors, and made many requests for information from Austin Energy ● Presentations, resources, meeting notes and final recommendations and individual statements are posted here: https://austineucresourceplanningwg.org/ ● WG met 14 times between September 2023 to January 2024 and released recommendations on February 1st of Austin ● Final Product Released on Feb 1, 2024 endorsed by 14 of 16 members. ○ One member - Melissa Caragati - recused herself as she left the RMC to take a job with the City ○ One member - Jim Stanway - while supporting most of the recommendations offered a ○ dissenting opinion Two other members - Mick Long and Randy Chapman - signed the recommendations and also offered additional comments 4 Federal Funding Can Help City of Austin and AE Meet Climate Goals Two Federal Bills, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) …
Cover Letter from EUC Resource Planning Working Group February 1, 2024 Process In December 2022, Austin City Council Resolution 20221201-040 directed Austin Energy to collaborate with the Electric Utility Commission to update the “Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 (2030 Plan),” adopted by the Austin City Council in December of 2020. The 2030 Plan committed Austin Energy to continue safely delivering clean, affordable, and reliable energy sufficient to meet customer demands while pursuing the City of Austin's climate protection and sustainability goals. In August 2023, the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) created the Resource Planning Working Group (Working Group) to provide leadership and guidance to Austin Energy and the Austin City Council on technical and market issues to meet environmental, efficiency and affordability goals established by the Austin City Council. The 16-member Working Group1 included members of the EUC, members of the Resource Management Commission and several others who represented different elements of the Austin community. Members brought expertise on a variety of energy topics to this effort. The working met on 14 occasions between September 2023 and January 2024. The Working Group created a website for meeting notes, presentations, and materials. The Working Group examined the initial presentation by Austin Energy, the 11 resource portfolios modeled by Austin Energy, technology assessments from Austin Energy, staff responses to questions from the Working Group, and the results of four additional resource portfolios constructed by the Working Group and modeled by Austin Energy. Austin Energy presented those four additional scenarios on January 10, 2024. In addition, the Working Group received information and presentations on many of the technologies and issues relevant to the Plan, including batteries with various energy storage durations, hydrogen technology, geothermal energy, energy efficiency and demand response, renewable resources, the Fayette coal plant, transmission, regulatory changes, and new funding resources and tax incentives available under the federal Inflation Reduction Act. A Changing Landscape As Austin Energy has noted, many market conditions, opportunities and challenges have changed since the 2030 Plan was adopted by the Austin City Council in 2020. 1 One of the 16 working group members had to leave in early January because of a new job. Cover Letter from EUC Resource Planning Working Group 1 First, the costs of electricity have risen. Austin increased electricity base rates in 2022, particularly for residential customers, and has increased the Power Supply Adjustment (PSA) rate three times since the …
Information is from October 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024 Information compiled via ASO Power BI dashboards. Difference of outcomes - intakes Outcome Year (fiscal) Intake Year (fiscal) Dog totals Cat totals Totals Dog totals Cat totals Totals Dog totals Cat totals Totals Cats Adoption Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total Dog Adoption Transfer Euthanasia Died Missing Total RTO/RTO Adopt SNR (former SCRP) RTO/RTO Adopt 2024 1622 1456 3078 2024 1656 1609 3265 2024 54 153 187 2024 918 41 176 28 7 0 93 1609 2024 750 166 222 16 4 2 1656
January 2024 January 2024 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News at a vet clinic). at a vet clinic). Animal Protection • The live outcome rate for January was 97.42%. • A total of 787 animals were brought to the shelter which included 437 dogs, 314 cats, 24 wild animals, 7 guinea pigs, 2 rabbits, a hamster, a bird and a rat. • A total of 625 animals were adopted (360 dogs, 262 cats, and 3 small pets). • A total of 81 dogs, cats, guinea pig, and hamster were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • On January 1, there were 986 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (694 onsite, 288 in foster, 1 at APA, and 1 • On February 1, there were 823 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (554 onsite, 264 in foster, 3 at APA, and 2 • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 13 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 21 fencing assistance applications and implanted 0 microchips. • Officers impounded 102 injured animals and delivered 40 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 201 rabies exposure reports and submitted 27 specimens for rabies testing. 2 bats and 1 raccoon were nonnegative (decomposed or destroyed). • 86 total coyote related activities o 55 wild sick o 22 sightings o 5 encounters o 2 wild speak o 1 incident o 1 wild injured observation] • Out of 86 coyote related activities, 61 fell within the reported behavior types [sighting, encounter, incident, and o Encounters: Pets were a factor in 5/5 (100%) of encounters reported. ▪ Two encounters involved a coyote entering a fenced backyard with pets present, but no ▪ An encounter was reported involving a pet, but nothing was stated in the memo and unable ▪ An encounter involved a coyote going after an owned outside cat, but caller was able to incident occurred to contact the caller chase off coyote off ▪ An encounter involved a coyote following a resident and dog o Incidents: Pets were a factor in 1/1 (100%) of incidents reported. ▪ An incident involved a coyote injuring a dog • Out of 86 related activities, 25 fell within the reported behavior types [wild sick, wild speak, and wild injured] Volunteer • A total of 490 volunteers donated 5,724 hours of volunteer service. January 2024 Animal Services Report …
Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan Community Update City of Austin Boards & Commissions Meeting Winter 2024 What is Imagine Austin & why does it ma(cid:425)er? • Imagine Austin (IA) is the City’s comprehensive plan, a guide for long‐term growth, development, and land use decisions • A comprehensive plan is required by City Charter Article X containing: • Initially adopted in 2012, IA is a 30‐year plan, • 231 Actions & 289 Policies • 8 Priority Programs ‐ Overseeing implementation • 1 Growth Concept Map • 1 Community Vision • It seeks to make Austin a city of “Complete Communities”* * Areas that provide amenities, transportation, services, and opportunities that fulfill all residents’ material, social, and economic needs. Imagine Austin Update – Timeline 4 Q 3 2 ‘ 1 Q 4 2 ‘ 2 Q 4 2 ‘ 3 Q 4 2 ‘ 4 Q 4 2 ‘ 1 Q 5 2 ‘ 2 Q 5 2 ‘ 3 Q 5 2 ‘ 4 Q 5 2 ‘ 6 2 ‘ 7 2 ‘ 8 2 ‘ Project Kickstart SEP ‐ MAR Data evaluation; City staff pre-engagement; Framework development; Contracting Engagement JUN ‐ OCT Plan Update Draft Data ongoing; Active dev. with public input Budgeting / IA integration NOV ‐ MAY Ongoing coordination Implementation Priority Program Implementation Enhancements Today Key highlights of IA update pre‐planning efforts to date • Refinement of plan update goals & strategies (ongoing) • City collaboration (ongoing) with: • Sustainability & Resilience; and Equity • City Departments • Department Leadership • Priority Programs & Champions • Budget Office • CPIO • Equity‐driven Public Participation Planning (draft complete: March/April) Reasons, Goals, Strategies for an update to Imagine Austin: Our Equity Vision The Planning Department acknowledges the history of planning in Austin, and how past planning, including the City’s 1928 Comprehensive Plan and redlining in the 1930s produced continued struggle with displacement and gentrification, and growing disparities across all quality of life outcomes, still felt today. Additionally, the Planning Department acknowledges neighborhood planning, still in place today, covers only a fraction of the city, and even as of 2016 lacked representative decision‐making and transparency. Further, those plans were found to be inconsistent with the citywide vision. In sum, some plans in place today have created planning‐related outcomes both inconsistent with citywide goals, and planning activities with barriers to representative decision‐making. Planning understands this opportunity to learn lessons from the past …
Austin Travis County Food Policy Board TRANSPORTATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES Melissa Zone, Senior Planner February 2023 TNRWeb@traviscountytx.gov 1 Travis County Authority The court will exercise powers over county business as provided by law (Texas Constitution Art. V, Sec. 18) Chapter 81, Local Government Code, sets out the responsibilities and powers (Texas Statutes) Although Counties have been delegated certain powers by the state, they remain under full state control Counties perform governmental functions on behalf of the state but lack independent authority that municipalities possess 2 What is the LWTP? 3 History of the LWTP ★ Land, Water, & Transportation Plan (LWTP), the County’s first comprehensive plan adopted by the Court in December 2014 ★ Framework for enacting policies and capital improvement programs in the unincorporated areas of the County ★ Guides legislative agenda ★ Informs annual budgets and work plans 4 Conservation Priorities Rapid development threatens ecologically and culturally rich land Endangered Species Habitats Natural Springs Prime Farmland Floodplain 5 Development Incentives Focus of transportation investments to support new developments Activity Centers Compact, mixed-use developments with multi-modal transportation options Transportation Corridors Streets that connect Activity Centers and support multiple transportation modes 6 7 TNR’s Responsibilities ★ Provides safe infrastructure on County right-of-way ★ Implements standards for subdivision, traffic safety, and drainage projects ★ Provides emergency support during extreme weather events ★ Provides long-range planning service in the development and implementation of land and transportation development 9 TNR’s Responsibilities (Cont.) ★ Provides outdoor recreational & educational programs ★ Preserves natural, historical, & cultural resources ★ Implements programs to protect surface & groundwater resources ★ Implements sustainability & resiliency programs 10 Uses of Updated LWTP ★ Guides collaborative planning with County departments & municipalities ★ Guides capital improvement priorities ★ Guides growth-related policies ★ Guides where development and conservation interests need consideration ★ Guides partnerships with stakeholders ★ Guides public/private partnerships ★ Guides where to protect area-wide water quality and supplies 11 LWTP Audience Government Officials ★ Guides decision making ★ Supports state & federal grant applications Who benefits from the LWTP? ★ Explains foundation of long- The Public term County goals ★ Provides policy basis for Commissioners Court actions Civic Organizations & Developers ★ Basis for County’s priorities ★ Guidance on sustainability, resiliency, stormwater & air quality resources 12 How to Stay Intouch Follow Us on Facebook 13 Discussion and Questions Ideas on how the LWTP can support a healthy, local …
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 Electric Utility Commission February 12, 2024 Cyrus Reed, Chair, EUC Resource Plan WG Kaiba White, Vice-Chair, EUC Resource Plan WG 1 Overview 1. Working Group Members & Process 2. Setting the Context for Recommendations a. City climate goal - net zero by 2040, w/ most reductions by 2030 Federal money available Fayette current usage and emissions Local air pollution should be avoided b. c. d. 3. Our Preferred Resource Mix a. Demand Reduction First b. No Coal ASAP c. Reduced Gas (REACH), retire by 2035 d. e. f. Solar and Renewables Expanded Storage EVs and DERMS 4. Affordability Goal 5. Future Studies & Process 2 EUC Resource Planning Working Group Members EUC WG consisted of 16 Members: 5 from EUC, 4 from RMC and 7 additional Cyrus Reed Electric Utility Commission Christian Fogerty Sunrise Austin Kaiba White Electric Utility Commission Micalah Spenrath residential customer Dave Tuttle Electric Utility Commission Autumn Gallardo Foundation Communities Randy Chapman Electric Utility Commission Al Braden residential customer Mick Long Electric Utility Commission Rodrigo Leal Joint Sustainability Committee Alison Silverstein Resource Management Commission Paul Robbins Resource Management Commission GeNell Gary Resource Management Commission Melissa Caragati Resource Management Commission Jim Stanway Samsung Marian Sanchez PODER 3 EUC Workgroup Process ● WG analyzed 11 Austin Energy scenarios, 4 additional scenarios, separate presentations from associations and vendors, and made many requests for information from Austin Energy ● Presentations, resources, meeting notes and final recommendations and individual statements are posted here: https://austineucresourceplanningwg.org/ ● WG met 14 times between September 2023 to January 2024 and released recommendations on February 1st of Austin ● Final Product Released on Feb 1, 2024 endorsed by 14 of 16 members. ○ One member - Melissa Caragati - recused herself as she left the RMC to take a job with the City ○ One member - Jim Stanway - while supporting most of the recommendations offered a ○ dissenting opinion Two other members - Mick Long and Randy Chapman - signed the recommendations and also offered additional comments 4 Federal Funding Can Help City of Austin and AE Meet Climate Goals Two Federal Bills, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offer significant funding: ● Weatherization: $174 million (TDHCA) …
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 12, 2024 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024 The BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION convened in a SPECIAL-CALLED the CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND meeting on 12 February 2024, at DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC), 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE, ROOM 1405, in Austin, Texas. CHAIR SADÉ OGUNBODE called the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION (BSC) Meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Sadé Ogunbode, Commissioners: Blaine Campbell, Michael Francis, Luis Osta Lugo, Logan Schugart, Edward Selig, and Timothy Stostad. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Joseph Benigno and Ex Officio Commissioner Chief Bret Carr. . PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one appeared before the Commission for Public Communication. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on January 24, 2024. Approval of the January 24, 2024 regular meeting minutes was continued to the February 28, 2024 meeting at the request of staff. PUBLIC HEARINGS Conduct a public hearing and consider an appeal regarding case number CL 2023-128201; Property address: 5508 Ponciana Drive. COMMISSIONER FRANCIS moved to close the public hearing. There was no objection, but the motion was not seconded. COMMISSIONER SELIG moved to adopt City staff’s 1 1. 2. BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 12, 2024 3. 4. 5. 6. recommendation for repair of the residential structure within 45 days, with a penalty of $250 to begin to accrue on the 46th day from the date the order is mailed if compliance is not achieved, COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL’S second. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote. COMMISSIONER STOSTAD was off dais. Conduct a public hearing and consider case number CV 2033-155868; Property address: 6104 Conti Court. COMMISSIONER STOSTAD moved to close the public hearing, COMMISSIONER SELIG’ second, with no objections. COMMISSIONER STOSTAD moved to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions of law and adopt City staff’s recommendation for repair of the residential structure within 45 days, with a penalty of $250 to begin to accrue on the 46th day from the date the order is mailed if compliance is not achieved, COMMISSIONER SELIG’S second. COMMISSIONER FRANCIS made a friendly amendment to increase the civil penalty to $350, which was accepted. The motion failed on a 5-3 vote. CHAIR OGUNBODE and COMMISSIONERS BENIGNO, FRANCIS, SELIG and STOSTAD voted aye. COMMISSIONERS CAMPBELL, OSTA LUGO AND SCHUGART voted nay. A second motion, made …
ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, February 12, 2024 The Electric Utility Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, February 12, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. Chair Dave Tuttle called the Electric Utility Commission meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Dave Tuttle, Chair; Kaiba White, Vice Chair; Cesar Benavides, Randy Chapman, Mick Long, Cyrus Reed Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Raul Alvarez, Jonathon Blackburn PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were 4 speakers under general communications. Craig Nazor and Al Braden spoke about items 17 and 21. Dale Bulla spoke about the resource generation plan. Raphael Schwarz spoke about the resource generation plan, the location of the potential gas plant and impacts to the community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Special Called Meeting on January 22, 2024. The motion approving the minutes of the Special Called Electric Utility Commission meeting of January 22, 2024, were approved as amended on Commissioner Chapman’s motion, Commissioner Reed’s second on an 8-0 vote and three vacancies. The minutes were amended to change the number of EUC members on the Resource Generation Plan Working Group from 4 to 5. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS The motion to approve recommendations 3, 4, 6-8, 10, 11, 13, 15, and 16 were approved on Commissioner White’s motion, Commissioner Chapman’s second on a (8-0) vote and three vacancies. The motion to approve recommendations 2, 12 and 14 were approved on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner Tuttle’s second on a (8-0) vote and three vacancies. The motion to approve recommendations 5 and 9 were approved on Commissioner Chapman’s motion, Commissioner Reed’s second on a (7-0-1) vote with Commissioner White abstaining and three vacancies. 2. Recommend authorizing execution of a contract for construction services, for the Kramer Lane Substation project with Capital Excavation Company, in the amount of $12,272,916 plus a $1,227,291 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $13,500,207. 3. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for an underground feasibility and overhead distribution resilience study with Burns & McDonnel Engineering Company, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,725,000. 4. Recommend authorizing an amendment to the 2023 Chilled Water Construction in the Right-of-Way Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity construction contract with DeNucci Constructors to increase the amount by $6,250,000, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $31,250,000. 5. Recommend authorizing negotiation and …
Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board MEETING MINUTES February 12, 2024 The Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board (ATCFPB) convened on Monday, February 12th at the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Room 1406, Austin, TX 78752. Board Members in Attendance: Andrea Abel, Lisa Barden, Mark Bethell, Marissa Bell, Joi Chevalier, Kacey Hanson, Larry Franklin, Rosamaria Murillo, Natalie Poulos Board Members Absent: Sari Vatske Staff in Attendance: Amanda Rohlich (City of Austin), Sergio Torres-Peralta (City of Austin) CALL TO ORDER Chair Joi Chevalier called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Board Member Kacey Hanson motioned to approve the meeting minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 8th, pending minor edits to item 2g, with Board Member Andrea Abel, seconding the motion. Minutes passed on a 9-0 vote. STAFF PRESENTATION 2. Presentation from April Geruso, Planning Department, about updating the 2012 Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan (see back-up materials for presentation). They shared a request for one member to partner through the development and implementation of the Imagine Austin comprehensive Plan Update Engagement Process serving as a point of contact for ATCFPB. New contact is Evelyn Mitchell who will be leading Comp Plan Update. a. What does concurrent implementation look like? On an annual basis, they are working with CPJIC and the Priority Program Champion on implementing the Comprehensive Plan. The City Charter requires this implementation structure. The Priority Programs are Healthy Austin, Compact and Connected, Creative Economy, Land Use, Water, Environment, Affordability, Workforce b. Possibility to have counterparts from the community serve on Priority Programs DISCUSSION ITEMS c. Time commitment for this representative would be a couple of hours between now and the time that the Public Engagement Plan is developed. The exact months and dates have yet to be determined. This representative will give feedback on the activities and methods for reaching community. d. Will be launching into meetings in the next couple of weeks so a representative appointed at earliest convenience would be appreciated. 3. Presentation from Melissa Zone on Travis County's Land, Water, Transportation Plan progress update (see back-up materials for presentation) a. What does it mean that the County lacks independent authority that cities possess. Local jurisdictions can determine what land use looks like but counties do not have that same authority. b. Does TNR partner with CARTS? Yes, because Cap Metro only services the city …
REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, February 12, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 MEETING MINUTES Some members of the 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, contact Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Dereca Sims Christian Aguirre Yuri G Barragán VACANT Jerome Benson David Garza J. Scott Neal, Chair CALL TO ORDER Appointment Commissioner Gary Brown District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 Mariana Krueger Brandon Wollerson Marti Bier Charles Curry Dr. Melissa Taylor Morgan Davis Alexander Andersen Minutes Appointment District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder Vice Chair Aguirre called to order at 7:05 PM ROLL CALL: Absent: • Marti Bier • Mariana Krueger Page 1 of 4 Present: Jerome Benson John Scott Neal (virtual) ● Dereca Sims (virtual) ● Christian Aguirre ● Yuri G Barragán (virtual) ● ● David Garza ● ● Gary Brown ● Brandon Wollerson ● Charles Curry • Melissa Taylor (virtual) ● Morgan Davis ● Alexander Andersen PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No public communication MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER Motioned by Commissioner Aguirre and seconded by Commissioner Curry, passed unanimously by roll call vote with Commissioner Garza abstaining. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Motion by Commissioner Wollerson, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to approve the minutes of the Commission’s Regular Meeting on January 8, 2023. Passed unanimously. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION 2. FY 24-29 Consolidated Plan Community Needs Assessment Presentation & Discussion Presented by: Chris Duran, Senior Research Analyst, Housing Department, Julie Smith, Community Engagement Specialist, Housing Department, Jamey May, Housing & Community Development Officer, Housing Department, Susan Watkins, Housing Division Manager, Housing Department, Leslie Boyd, Acting Public Health Program Manager II, Austin Public Health. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion on Trans Protections Recommendation to the council. 4. Approve a recommendation to the council on Emergency Housing Assistance. Motion by Commissioner Wollerson, Seconded by Commissioner Davis, Passed via roll call vote, …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 2 0 2 4 0 2 1 2 - 4 FOR Budget for Increased Emergency Housing Assistance (I BELONG IN AUSTIN PROGRAM) WHEREAS the City of Austin continues to face a housing affordability crisis particularly impacting renters that have seen multiple 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 participants in the town hall meetings, 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 50% before the record increases of the last three years, and WHEREAS, the City has approved funding over $7 million for a program entitled "I Belong In Austin" 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 relocation, and WHEREAS the "I Belong in Austin" had over 800 people on the waiting list when the Program began and is likely to exhaust funding before the end of this fiscal year, indicating the continuing need for this assistance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Austin City Council approve funding of $8 million for the "I Belong in Austin" Program to mitigate the affordability crisis and to accomplish strategic goals related to housing stabilization, economic opportunity, and affordability. Page 1 of 2 Record of the Vote: Adopted on an 11-1 Vote, Commissioner Garza voted no Present: VOTE Date of Approval: 2/12/2024 Jerome Benson John Scott Neal (virtual) ● Dereca Sims (virtual) ● Christian Aguirre ● Yuri G Barragán (virtual) ● ● David Garza ● ● Gary Brown ● Brandon Wollerson ● Charles Curry • Melissa Taylor (virtual) ● Morgan Davis ● Alexander Andersen Attest: Alyssa Parra, staff Liaison Page 2 of 2
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 2 0 2 4 0 2 1 2 - 5 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 …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, February 12, 2024, at 301 W. Second St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Clinton called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Ann Linder, D3 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Luis Herrera, D6 Larry Tucker, D7, Vice Chair Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Lotta Smagula, D1 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Whitney Holt, D5 Dr. Amanda Bruce, D10 Commissioners Absent: Nancy Nemer, Travis County, Parliamentarian Sarah Huddleston, D9 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Rochell Vickery – Spay and Neuter Pat Valls-Trelles – EmanciPet Ben Joyce – Fois Gras Kristian Camtes – Fois Gras APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on January 8, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of January 8, 2024, were approved with a correction to change the minutes meeting date from December 11, 2023, to January 12, 2024, on Commissioner Linder’s motion, Commissioner Herrera’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Huddleston and Nemer were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Overview of monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. Reports posted in backup materials. The presentation was made by Jason Garza, Deputy Chief and Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve the creation of a Working Group regarding the Emancipet contract. A motion to approve the creation of a working group regarding the Emancipet contract was made by Commissioner Bruce and seconded by Commissioner Herrera. An amendment to change the name of the working group to “Spay & Neuter Contracts with the City of Austin” was made by Chair Clinton, seconded by Commissioner Bruce, and approved without objection. The motion to approve the creation of a working group on Spay & Neuter Contracts with the City of Austin was approved on Commissioner Bruce’s motion, Commissioner Herrera’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Huddleston and Nemer were absent. Approve the creation of a Working Group on owner-intended euthanasia at the Austin Animal Center. The motion to approve the creation of a working group on owner-intended euthanasia was made by Commissioner Nilson, seconded by Commissioner Linder, and approved on a 7-1 vote. Vice Chair Tucker voted nay. Commissioner Dulzaides abstained. Commissioners Huddleston and Nemer were absent. Discussion and approve possible recommendations regarding the Animal Services Office Budget. Discussed with no action …
REGULAR MEETING of the MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Friday, February 9, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Austin City Hall, Board & Commission Room, Room 1101 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities may be 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 comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is liaison at Jacquelyn.Alexander@austintexas.gov remote participation. To register, email the board required for The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Jonathan Franks, Chair Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair Donna Betts Mickey Fetonte Adrianne Hogan Jennifer Powell CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Lira Ramirez Pete Salazar Kristen Vassallo Vacant Vacant AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 12, 2024, regular meeting. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Approval of the minutes from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities January 2. Discussion and updates from the January 11, 2024, Project Connect Community Advisory Committee (CAC) presented by Chair Franks on behalf of Chair Meyer. 3. Review goals for the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. 4. Discussion to determine working groups based on the goals of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. 5. Discussion on FY25 Budget Recommendations. 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 contact the Jacquelyn Alexander at the Office of Civil Rights Jacquelyn.Alexander@austintexas.gov for additional information. TTY users are routed through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at (512) 974-3251.
