A COMMUNITY GUIDE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: Practical Tips for Zoning Variances, Special Exceptions and Administrative Appeals Approved by the Board of Adjustment, on April 13, 2015, and prepared in collaboration with the City Law Department and Development Services Department. Chair Vice Chair Boardmembers: Don Leighton-Burwell, Melissa Hawthorne, Brooke Bailey Jessica Cohen Ada Corral William Hodge Rahm McDDaniel Darryl Pruett Veronica Rivera Yasmine Smith Michael Von Ohlen Legal Advisors: Lee Simmons Steven Maddoux Staff Support: Elaine Ramirez Diana Ramirez - Common examples of hardship include restraints, unusually if they are wants to preserve topographical lot shapes. Trees may constitute required them. lots with steep slopes, small lot area, or irregular or if an applicant to be preserved a hardship, - Personal troubles hardship. focus primarily circumstances, with neighbors, An applicant cannot be the sole basis for finding a but should may mention on characteristics such factors, itself. such as financial of the property or difficulties A hardship cannot be self-created. - An applicant based on conditions for a permit or site plan cannot claim a hardship for creating. that he or she is responsible - For example, if a structure is designed in a manner that fails to comply with regulations, hardship. Or, if a landowner pieces, hardship. the structure's subdivides he or she can't rely on their irregular shape to prove a a lot into irregular a non-compliance isn't A hardship where it's located. must be unique to the property, not general to the area - If steep slopes then neither hardship by itself. or small lots are common to a particular condition is sufficiently unique to constitute area, a - If a lot is entitled automatically relaxes small lots, then of a hardship. evidence the understanding area, development regulations. certain lot amnesty," under city code to "small which regulations for development be relied on as lot size alone should not with was approved of minimum lot Small lot amnesty that, with the exception would meet other site development - The City's example, regulations alone cannot be the hardship. cannot request a height variance and For an applicant BOA Community Guidebook -10 variance, different "hardship." the criteria kinds of situation exception and don't necessarily can be tailored require to address of for a special a showing In 2011, the City of Austin adopted a special exception designed periods required summarize followed to address of time …
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT RULES OF PROCEDURE Approved by the Board of Adjustment on February 11, 2019 ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS (A) Legal Authority & Jurisdiction. (1) The Board of Adjustment (“BOA” or “Board”) is a sovereign board established by the City Council pursuant to Subchapter A of Chapter 211 of the Texas Local Government Code (“Chapter 211”). The BOA derives its authority from state law, as well as City Code § 2-1-111 (Board of Adjustment) and Chapter 25-2 (Zoning). (2) As stated in Chapter 211 and the City Code, the BOA’s primary functions are to hear and decide: Requests for variances from site development regulations adopted under Chapter 25-2, Subchapter C (Use and Development Regulations) and from certain sign regulations under Chapter 25-10 (Sign Regulations); Requests for special exceptions from site development regulations, where expressly authorized by Code; and (c) Appeals of administrative decisions made in the enforcement and administration of City zoning regulations and decisions made in the enforcement of Chapter 211. (B) Rules of Procedure. (1) These Rules of Procedure (“Rules”) establish standards, guidelines, and requirements for: (a) the conduct of public hearings and the resolution of cases before the BOA; (b) applications for variances or administrative appeals; and processing of applications for variances and administrative appeals filed with the Development Services Department; and notification to the BOA of the filing of an application for a variance and administrative appeals. (a) (b) (c) (d) BOA Rules of Procedure – Page 1 of 16 (2) In the event of a conflict with City Code, Chapter 211 or other applicable law, the Code, Chapter 211 or other law supersedes these Rules. (3) Applicants should familiarize themselves with these Rules before filing an application or presenting a case to the BOA for decision. For more detailed information regarding Board and the rules for variances, special exceptions, and appeals, see the Board of Adjustment Community Guidebook, at: https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Planning/Applicati ons_Forms/Board_of_Adjustment_Guidebook__July_2015_.pdf ARTICLE II. REQUIREMENTS FOR REQUESTING BOARD ACTION (A) Complete Application Required. All requests to the BOA shall be filed on an application form provided by the staff liaison. The staff liaison shall determine if an application is complete before accepting it for filing. (B) Timing of Submittal & Other Application Requirements. (1) Variances & Special Exceptions. (a) Except as provided in Paragraph (B)(1)(b), below, an application for a variance or special exception may be filed at any time provided that the Development Services …
Presenter and property owner: Christi Lane My dogs, Sophie and Pickles, playing in the exact location of the latest vehicle impact. 2104 Westover Rd Austin, Texas 78703 A little about me: A native Texan, I first moved to Austin in the 90s to attend the University of Texas at Austin. I own 2 businesses. One, Reform Pilates, is a local business established in 2006. I am back at UT studying genetics with the desire to be a part of scientific research. I have lived in my home for about 15 years. I have loved watching Austin grow with the exception of the detriment to my property. I have taken this fall semester off to handle this important issue. I am asking for your help with a hardship variance for my safety and protection of my property. ITEM02/1-PRESENTATION Background: In the 1969 plans for Loop 1 (Mopac), 3 streets were considered Type E Separations for the area: Hancock Dr, W. 45th Street, and my street, Westover Rd. Other intersections were classified as redirects. ITEM02/2-PRESENTATION My home, built in 1952, is unique in that the property was bisected diagonally leaving the remaining property downhill and exposed to the direction of traffic from the southbound Westover Rd exit ramp. No other property in the area with equivalent downtown traffic has this juxtaposition. ITEM02/3-PRESENTATION 185m 183m The problem Another feature of the property is the change in altitude relative to traffic flow. The photo shows readings taken with an altimeter at selected levels of the southbound Westover Rd exit ramp. The difference in grade from the ramp to my property is 13 feet with my home being the lower altitude. . 172m ITEM02/4-PRESENTATION The problem: Hazardous airborne debris, often with the velocity of highway traffic. When I leave my house, I shut the doors to all rooms containing north (backyard) facing windows and I block access to the doggie-door. This gives me some mild reassurance that my dogs will be safe when a window breaks. I have experienced a total of 5 breaks located at the back of the house from airborne debris since I have lived in my home. I have also had punctured siding, though I consider this less threatening. I don’t use my backyard when I have an inadequate fence because I fear injury. ITEM02/5-PRESENTATION June 12, 2024 After the wreck that took the fence down on April 18, 2024, a …
REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT August 12, 2024 AT 5:30PM Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for email elaine.ramirez@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-2202. remote participation by telephone. To remotely, register speak to CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: ___Jessica Cohen (Chair) ___Melissa Hawthorne (Vice-Chair)) ___Thomas Ates ___Jeffery Bowen ___Marcel Gutierrez-Garza ___Yung-ju Kim The Board of Adjustment may go into closed session to receive advice from legal counsel regarding any item on this agenda (Private consultation with legal counsel – Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code). ___ Bianca A Medina-Leal ___ Brian Poteet ___ Margaret Shahrestani ___ Janel Venzant ___ Michael Von Ohlen ___ Suzanne Valentine (Alternate) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first (4) four speakers signed up/register prior (no later than noon the day before the meeting) to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Approve the minutes of the Board of Adjustment Regular meeting on July 8, 2024. On-Line Link: Draft Minutes for July 8, 2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. PUBLIC HEARINGS Discussion and action on the following cases. New Variance case: 2. C15-2024-0024 Christi Lane 2104 Westover Road On-Line Link: ITEM02 ADV PACKET PART1, PART2, PART3; PRESENTATION The applicant is requesting the following variance(s) from the Land Development Code, Section 25-2-899 (Fences as Accessory Uses) to increase the height from eight (8) feet (maximum allowed) to twelve (12) feet (requested), in order to erect a fence on the east property line in a “SF-3-NP”, Single-Family-Neighborhood Plan zoning district (West Austin Neighborhood Group). Note: The Land Development Code 25-2-899 Fences as Accessory Uses (A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a fence: (1) is permitted as an accessory use in any zoning district; and (2) must comply with the requirements of this section. (B) In this section: (1) an ornamental fence is a fence with an open design that has a ratio of …
REGULAR MEETING of the AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MONDAY, AUGUST 12th, 2024, FROM 5:00 TO 8:00 PM CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Amanda Rohlich, 512-974-1364, Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Andrea Abel Lisa Barden, Vice-Chair Marissa Bell Mark Bethell Joi Chevalier, Chair Beth Corbett Larry Franklin CALL TO ORDER 1. Hilda Gutierrez Kacey Hanson Rosamaria Murillo Natalie Poulos Matt Simon Andrew Smith AGENDA Board member roll call and introduction of new board members (name, organization, why they are on food policy board). PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. Approve the minutes of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Regular Meeting from Monday, June 10, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Presentation by Tracy Ayrhart from Central Texas Food Bank on plans for a Travis County Community Needs Assessment and the development of a Central Texas Food System Council to support collaborative work across county lines. Presentation by Yaira Robinson providing updates on Austin-Travis County Food Plan adoption and implementation. Presentation by Edwin Marty on context building for Austin Travis County Food Policy Board strategic planning. Discussion of Joint Sustainability Committee meetings held on June 26, 2024, Larry Franklin. Discuss Annual Internal Review which was due July 31, 2024. Review Board Member Assignments (Note for Chair: take item out of order and discuss at end of meeting). FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion and scheduling of 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 …
REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION August 12, 2024, 6 p.m. Austin City Hall, Room 1101 301 W. 2nd St Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Animal Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Eric Anderson at eric.anderson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Lotta Smagula, D1 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Dr. Paige Nilson, D4 Whitney Holt, D5 Luis Herrera, D6 Larry Tucker, D7 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Dr. Amanda Bruce, D10 Laura Hoke, Mayor CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on July 8, 2024. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. 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 Eric Anderson, Office of (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Animal Advisory Commission, please contact Eric Anderson at (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov. the City Clerk at
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION AUGUST 12, 2024 6:00 PM AUSTIN ENERGY HEADQUARTERS/SHUDDE FATH CONFERENCE ROOM 4815 MUELLER BLVD AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Electric Utility Commission maybe participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register contact Amy Everhart, at Amy.Everhart@AustinEnergy.com or via phone at 512-322-6087. AGENDA Members: Dave Tuttle, Chair Kaiba White, Vice Chair Ayo Akande Raul Alvarez Cesar Benavides Jonathon Blackburn Randy Chapman Mick Long Cyrus Reed Joshua Rhodes Vacant CALL MEETING TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 5 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for utility demand response program support for thermostats and other equipment with EnergyHub, Inc., for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $12,500,000. 3. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of for construction services in coordination with the East Ave Duct Bank Civil Work with Texas Gas Service in the amount of $189,857.66, plus a $18,986 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $208,843.66. 4. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for Arc-Rated clothing and related goods and services, with Tyndale Company, Inc., for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,075,000. 5. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for Storm Center software, maintenance, and support, with Kubra Arizona, Inc, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,400,000. 6. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of two contracts for soil remediation, equipment, and surface decontamination services with The Cleaning Guys, LLC d/b/a CG Environmental and Triumvirate Environmental d/b/a Gruene Environmental Services, each for up to three years for total contract amounts not to exceed $2,000,000, divided between the contractors. 7. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for autotransformers with HD Hyundai Electric America Corporation, …
ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, July 15, 2024 The Electric Utility Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, July 15, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. Chair Dave Tuttle called the Electric Utility Commission meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. in Attendance: Dave Tuttle, Chair; Commissioner Cesar Benavides; Commissioners Commissioner Jonathon Blackburn; Commissioner Randy Chapman; Commissioner Mick Long Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Kaiba White, Vice Chair; Commissioner Ayo Akande; Commissioner Raul Alvarez; Commissioner Joshua Rhodes PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Lanetta Cooper- District Energy Cooling • Paul Robbins- District Energy Cooling • Bradley C. Jarrell- was not present when name was called, did not speak. • Ben Suddaby- was not present when name was called, did not speak. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Regular Meeting on June 10, 2024. The motion approving the minutes of the Regular Electric Utility Commission meeting of June 10, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Chapman’s motion, Chair Tuttle’s second on an 8-0 vote with Vice Chair White off the dais, Commissioners Reed absent, and one vacancy. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS 2. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for cloud cross connect subscription services with Equinix Inc, for a term of one year in an amount not to exceed $175,000. The motion to approve a recommendation authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for cloud cross connect subscription services was recommended on Commissioner Blackburn’s motion, Commissioner Chapman’s second on an 8-0 vote with Vice Chair White off the dais, Commissioner Reed absent, and one vacancy. 3. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of all documents and instruments necessary and desirable for the fee simple acquisition of an approximately 1.034 acre (45,046 square feet) tract of land located at 11202 Pearce Lane, Del Valle, Texas 78617 and being Lot 16, in Block L, of Timber Creek Section 2 according to the Plat recorded in Volume 55, Page 13, Plat Records of Travis County, Texas, said Lot 16 conveyed to Nazir Ahmad in that certain General Warranty Deed as recorded in document number 2022061446, Official Public Records of Travis County Texas from Mr. Nazir Ahmad, for an amount not to exceed $278,821 including estimated closing costs. The motion to approve a recommendation authorizing negotiation and execution of all documents and instruments necessary and desirable for the fee simple acquisition of …
Item 2 ..Title Posting Language Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract for utility demand response program support for thermostats and other equipment with EnergyHub, Inc., for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $12,500,000. [Note: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were insufficient subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. However, the recommended contractor identified subcontracting opportunities]. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Energy. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $625,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) 1100 DCM3024 for these services. The solicitation was issued on December 11, 2023, and closed on February 27, 2024. Of the four offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=139600 . For More Information: Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department – Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: August 12, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will provide Austin Energy a demand response curtailment portal to aggregate and deploy thermostats, electric vehicle charging stations, electric vehicles, and other connected devices, including related services to support the growth of the Power Partner Thermostat Program, the Power Partner Electric Vehicle Program, and expand into other demand response technologies. Austin Energy’s goal is to significantly increase the number of active connected devices enrolled in the utility’s Power Partner program by up to 20,000 thermostats and 6,000 electric vehicles per year, while reducing program and event opt-outs. An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored EnergyHub, Inc. as the best to provide these services based on System Concept and Solution; Configuration, Implementation and Maintenance Plan; Firms Experience; Personnel Qualifications; Cost Proposal, Local Business Preference; and Small …
REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, August 12, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401/1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 MEETING AGENDA 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. Commissioner Appointment Commissioner Appointment CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: VACANT VACANT Yuri G Barragán Brigitte Bandit Jerome Benson David Garza J. Scott Neal, Chair CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 Garry Brown Mariana Krueger Brandon Wollerson VACANT Charles Curry Dr. Melissa Taylor Morgan Davis Alexander Andersen AGENDA District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder The first ten speakers signed up before the meeting is called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Page 1 of 4 MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission’s regular meeting on July 8, 2024. 2. Briefing on the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan from Evelyn Mittchell, Principal Planner from STAFF BRIEFINGS the Planning Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Updates from the Community and Communication working group. 4. Approve a recommendation for pop-up vaccine clinics at future commission meetings and related communication to the community on this topic. 5. Approve a recommendation for commission social media presence. 6. Approve a recommendation for increased funding for Austin Public Health for MPOX vaccines. 7. Approve a recommendation in support of the Lesbian and Gay Police Officers Association. 8. Approve a representative from the LGBTQ QoL Commission to support the Imagine Austin comprehensive engagement process. the commission. 9. Approve a recommendation from the New Commissioner Working group for a nomination to 10. Approve a Cultural Center working group to gather input from the community to understand their needs and desires for a cultural center. It can include conducting surveys, organizing …
1. ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JULY 8, 2024 The Animal Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on July 8, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Parliamentarian Nemer called the Animal Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nancy Nemer, Parliamentarian, Travis County Luis Herrera, D6 Laura Hoke, Mayor’s Appointee Paige Nilson, D4 Lotta Smagula, D1 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ann Linder, Vice Chair, D3 Beatriz Dulzaides, D2 Sarah Huddleston, D9 Commissioners Absent: Ryan Clinton, Chair, Travis County Amanda Bruce, D10 Whitney Holt, D5 Larry Tucker, D7 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Rochelle Vickery – Spay and Neuter, Found Dogs Jeff Gjertson – Found Dogs, Shelter Intake APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on June 10, 2024. 1 The minutes from the meeting of June 10, 2024, were approved on Vice Chair Linder’s motion, Commissioner Smagula’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Clinton, Commissioners Bruce, Holt, and Tucker were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding monthly reports provided by the Animal Service Center. The presentation was made by Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Services. Commissioner Dulzaides requested that information on the number of animals microchipped this year be provided by Animal Services staff. Presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding license agreement reports. The presentation was made by Stephanie Bilbro, Austin Pets Alive! Director of Operations. Discussion of the Animal Services strategic plan and planning process. A presentation was made by Stephanie Hayden-Howard, Assistant City Manager. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 5. Approve a recommendation to Council on animals at City of Austin Cooling Centers. The motion to approve the recommendation to Council on animals at City of Austin Cooling Centers was approved on Commissioner Smagula’s motion, Commissioner Herrera’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Clinton, Commissioners Bruce, Holt, and Tucker were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. Parliamentarian Nemer adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the XX, meeting on Commissioner XX’s motion, Commissioner XX’s second on a X-X vote. 2
Information is from October 1, 2023 – June 30, 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 4455 4800 9255 2024 4419 4618 9037 2024 -36 -182 -218 2024 2902 130 1035 94 62 2 393 4618 2024 2936 651 731 74 25 2 4419
July 2024 AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT 1 Animal Services News • The live outcome rate for July was 97.31%. • A total of 932 animals were brought to the shelter which included 511 cats, 378 dogs, 28 wild animals, 6 guinea pigs, 2 rats, 1 chicken, 1 turkey, and 1 rabbit. • A total of 769 animals were adopted (166 adult dogs, 123 puppies, 398 kittens, and 82 adult • A total of 70 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • On July 1, there were 1,278 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (683 onsite, 592 in foster, and • On August 1, there were 1,045 dogs and cats within the ASO inventory (553 onsite, 486 in foster, 2 cats). 1 at a vet clinic). at a vet clinic, and 1 at TLAC). Animal Protection • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 25 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 24 fencing assistance applications and implanted 7 microchip(s). • Officers impounded 151 injured animals and delivered approximately 92 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 205 rabies exposure reports and submitted 46 specimens for rabies testing. We had 4 positive bats, 2 decomposed bats and 2 decomposed skunks. • 67 total coyote related activities (Behavior types include Sighting, Encounter, Incident, and Observation. “Observation” is defined as hearing coyotes howling and finding scat or footprints.) o 54 Wild Sick o 9 Sightings o 2 o 1 o 1 Wild Speak Encounters Incident • Out of 67 coyote related activities, 12 (18%) reports fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, incident, and observation) o Encounters: Pets were a factor in 2/2 (100%) of encounters reported. ▪ An encounter involved a coyote with mange running up to caller and dog. ▪ An encounter involved a coyote following caller and dog. o Incidents: Pets were a factor in 0/0 (0%) of incidents reported. ▪ An incident involved a coyote with mange chasing a man after the caller ran from the coyote. • Out of 67 coyote related reports, 49 (73%) reports were updated to the correct behavior types. o 23 sightings updated to wild sick (Due to mange) o Residents are mistaking coyotes with mange for dogs ▪ 7 stray injured dogs updated to wild sick coyotes ▪ 5 stray roam dogs updated to wild sick coyotes ▪ 1 stray sick dog …
July 2024 Travis County Coyote Report Prepared by: Emery Sadkin Total number of Coyote Calls: 2 Coyote Calls by Behavior Type July 2024 1 0 Sighting 0 0 Encounter Incident Obseravtion Behavior Type Figure 1. Coyote activity by behavior. Out of 2 coyote related reports, 1 fell within the reported behavior types (Sighting, Incident, Encounter and Observation) Coyote Calls by Precinct July 2024 s t r o p e R e t o y o C f o r e b m u N 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 s t r o p e R e t o y o C f o r e b m u N 2.5 1.5 0.5 2 1 0 Wild Speak Wild Sick Wild Injured Obseravtion Incident Encounter Sighting P1 P2 P3 P4 Precinct Figure 2. Coyote reports by precinct. All coyote reports took place in P2. Sick and Injured Coyote calls by Behavior Type July 2024 1 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 s t o r p e R e t o y o C f o r e b m u N 0 0 Wild Injured Wild Sick Behavior Type 0 Wild Speak Figure 3. Out of 2 coyote related reports, 1 report fell within the reported behavior types. Behavior types including Wild Sick, Wild Speak, Wild Injured. “Wild Speak” is defined as a resident not seeing the coyote (Example: Reporting for a neighbor) or having questions regarding coyotes. Location Where Activity Took Place July 2024 Neighborhood 100% Figure 4. Type of location where activity took place, based on confirmed reports. “Habitat Fragment” is defined as a natural area adjacent to human habitation, which could include dense vegetation, creek beds, greenbelt areas, and other undeveloped land not habituated by humans. “Open field” is defined as an area where vegetation is cleared for industrial or commercial use. “Greenbelt” is defined as a belt of parkways, parks, or farmlands that encircles a community. “House Property” defined as a sighting on side of house, rather than front or backyard. “Building Strip” defined as a series of shops within a strip. Potential Attractants July 2024 50% 50% Open Field Greenbelt Figure 5. Potential attractants which could help explain coyote presence in the location of reported activity. “Habitat Fragment” is defined as a natural area adjacent to human habitation, which could include dense vegetation, greenbelts, or another undeveloped greenspace. “Human Source” is defined …
