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Recommendation 20230823-006: Multifamily Composting Ordinance — original pdf
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20230823-6 Date: August 23, 2023 Subject: Multifamily Composting Ordinance Recommendation Recommendation Multifamily Composting Ordinance Recommendation Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Sustainability recommends that the Austin City Council approve the proposed update to the Universal Recycling Ordinance to require composting collection at multifamily properties, as proposed by staff in the Attachment A. Rationale: Providing composting services to all residents aligns with the goals of the Austin Climate Equity plan. Keeping organic materials out of the landfill reduces methane production, which is an important step for mitigating climate change. Motioned By: Heather Houser Seconded By: Anna Scott Vote: 12-0 Against: none Abstain: none For: Stephanie Bazan, Jon Salinas, Diana Wheeler, Melissa Rothrock, Heather Houser, Christopher Campbell, Anna Scott, Charlotte Davis, Rodrigo Leal, Yure Suarez, Kaiba White, Haris Qureshi Absent: Larry Franklin, Alice Woods, Kelsey Hitchingham, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Bertha Delgado Attest: Zach Baumer, Interim Chief Sustainability Officer 1 of 2 Attachment A: Multi-Family Compost – Universal Recycling Ordinance Code and Rules Amendment 2 of 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 PART 1. City Code Section 15-6-91 (Affected Premises) is amended to read: § 15-6-91 AFFECTED PREMISES. (A) The responsible party for a premises of which all or part is used for multi- family residential use shall: (1) (2) ensure that tenants and employees have access to on-site recycling services described under this article, for that portion of the premises that is multi-family residential; and after October 1, 2024, and for premises with five or more dwelling units, ensure that tenants and employees have access to composting services described under this article, for that portion of the premises that is multi-family residential. [, effective: (1) immediately for premises with 75 or more dwelling units; (2) October 1, 2013 for premises with 50 or more but less than 75 (3) October 1, 2014 for premises with 25 or more but less than 50 (4) October 1, 2015 for premises with 10 or more but less than 25 (5) October 1, 2016 for premises with 5 or more but less than 10 dwelling units; dwelling units; dwelling units; and dwelling units.] (B) The responsible party for a premises of which all or part is used for office, medical office, medical facilities, religious assembly, or private educational …
1. Office of Sustainability 2023-2024 Budget — original pdf
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT August 23rd, 2023 at 6pm Austin Energy HQ, Shudde Fath Conference Room 4815 Mueller Blvd Austin, TX 78723 Some members of the Committee 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 Zach Baumer at (zach.baumer@austintexas.gov or 415-694-3111). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Kaiba White, Chair (Electric Utility Commission) Diana Wheeler, Vice Chair (Urban Transportation Commission) Charlotte Davis (Resource Mgmt. Commission) Haris Qureshi (Environmental Commission) Melissa Rothrock (Zero Waste Advisory Commission) Bertha Delgado (Community Development Commission) Larry Franklin (Austin Travis County Food Policy Board) Chris Maxwell-Gaines (Water & Wastewater Commission) Kelsey Hitchingham (Economic Prosperity Commission) Lane Becker (Parks & Recreation Board) Jon Salinas (Design Commission) Vacant (City Council) Alice Woods (Planning Commission) Rodrigo Leal (Mayor’s Representative) Anna Scott (Mayor’s Representative) Heather Houser (Mayor’s Representative) Yureisly Suarez (Mayor’s Representative) Christopher Campbell (Mayor’s Representative) For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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. DISCUSSION 1. Office of Sustainability 2023-2024 Budget – Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability. 2. EV charging infrastructure education and workforce development – Larry Franklin, Black Lives Veggies. 3. JSC Annual Report. 4. N/A (Item removed) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approval of minutes from the July 26th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. 6. Discussion and Possible Recommendation to Council on composting and recycling services at multifamily residential properties. 7. Discussion and Possible Recommendation to Council on Priority policy and program recommendations from JSC working groups on Austin Climate Equity Plan Implementation. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Zach Baumer at the Office of Sustainability at 415-694-3111, for …
1. Office of Sustainability 2023-2024 Budget (Corrected file) — original pdf
Office of Sustainability Budget Summary August 2023 1 Budget ● FY23 Budget - $2,116,101 ○ $80% = 14 Staff - $1.7 million ○ $125k in office costs (rent) ○ $50k for memberships / conferences / sponsorships ○ $230k for Projects (materials, consultants, advertising, etc.) 2 Staffing 14 Total - - - - 12 FTEs 1 on Loan 1 vacant 2 Temps 3 New Resources for FY2023-24 ● $350k (from FY23) to fund UT Climate Co-lab with Dr. Dev Nyogi ● $200k – Ongoing Consultant support for Grant Pursuits ● $100k – Sustainable Purchasing Plan ● $50k – Refrigerant Study ● 1 - Temp to Permanent Conversion for our team ● 1 - Replacement FTE for Marc Coudert to transition to Resilience 4 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant ● $1 million from EPA over 4 years (FY 24-27) to conduct regional ● Work is largely front-loaded and will take place mostly in FY 24 climate planning and FY 25 ● 4 Temps being hired ○ Project Coordinator (FY 24-27) ○ Engagement Coordinator (FY 24-25) ○ Junior Analyst (FY 24-25) ○ Project Administrator (FY 24-25) ● Expected kickoff Oct 1, 2024 – more to come 5 Thank you! zach.baumer@austintexas.gov 6
5. Draft July JSC Meeting Minutes for Approval — original pdf
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING July 26, 2023 MEETING MINUTES The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at PDC. Acting Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:13 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Kaiba White, Haris Qureshi, Charlotte Davis, Jon Salinas, Larry Franklin, Rodrigo Leal Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Melissa Rothrock, Heather Houser, Anna Scott, Diana Wheeler, Christopher Campbell Board Members Absent: Kelsey Hitchingham, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Yure Suarez Observing: Amy Noel (not yet completed oath) City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer, Rohan Lilauwala, Matt McCaw, Amanda Ross, Jodi, Juan Espinoza, Kerstin Johannson, Cameron Freberg, Christa McCarthy CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The speakers who registered in advance for public comment have three minutes each to address items on the agenda at this time. 6. Approval of minutes from the June 28th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Motion by Qureshi, seconded by Davis. Approved unanimously (11-0) 1. Parks and Recreation Department Land Management Plan Overview – Matt McCaw, Parks and Recreation Department Leal: does $200/acre cost represent new costs? Where did this come from? McCaw: study of comparable plans. Yes, new costs. Current 2 FTEs + 1 homelessness response coordinator, 75k operating budget. In the early phases of long-term project. Qureshi: is there an ideal budgetary mount that should go to this? McCaw: to fully fund this plan, $2 million Qureshi: are there particular areas of vulnerability to wildfire? McCaw: Generally well distributed, wildland-urban interface is everywhere. Fire behavior changes between woodland (in west) and grassland (in east). Woodland might be slower but more intense, grassland faster but less intense. Soil water availability – shallow soils in west contributes to vulnerability. White: how much restoration is being done now vs 1000 acres a year target McCaw: based on many treatments needed over time. Areas will need to be treated multiple times. 400 acres of restoration done in 2.5-3 years. White: Are volunteers being used? McCaw: Not as much as we can, beginning conversations with Parks foundation to collaborate on training and engagement with volunteers White: Do Creekside lands fall into this plan? McCaw: Riparian/aquatic areas are 5% of total. When streambank stabilization and engineering are involved, Watershed get involved. E.g. replaced a failing earthen dam in Onion Creek. Lots of collaboration with WPD. Wheeler: What …
6. Draft recommendation - multifamily composting — original pdf
CITY OF AUSTIN RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL ACTION AMENDMENT TO AUSTIN CITY CODE CHAPTER 15-6 AND ADMINISTRATIVE RULES COUNCIL DATE: XX/XX/2023 SUBJECT: Approve an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 15-6 and administrative rules relating to composting and recycling services at multifamily residential properties. MBE/WBE: N/A LEAD DEPARTMENT: Austin Resource Recovery FISCAL NOTE: PURCHASING/LEGAL: N/A PRIOR COUNCIL ACTION: On October 17, 2019, Council approved a resolution directing the City Manager to make recommendations to the City Council on possible amendments to the Universal Recycling Ordinance to include organic waste collection at all commercial and multifamily properties. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: ADDITIONAL BACKUP INFORMATION (RCA BODY) BOARD AND COMMISSION ACTION: August 9, 2023 – To be reviewed by the Zero Waste Advisory Commission BACKGROUND: Austin City Council adopted the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) in 2010 as part of Austin Resource Recovery’s Master Plan and the City’s Zero Waste goal to divert 90% of solid waste from landfills and incinerators by the year 2040. The URO requires that commercial and multifamily properties provide access to recycling service to employees and tenants and methods of organics diversion to commercial food-permitted business employees. A 2015 Community Diversion Study found that 85 % of discarded material generated in Austin comes from the commercial and multifamily sector and that 37% is compostable. PROCESS Austin Resource Recovery staff conducted a pilot to test composting at seven multifamily properties between March 2021 and February 2022. Staff published a report summarizing the findings of the pilot and initiated stakeholder meetings to discuss potential policy changes. Staff led five stakeholder meetings between October 2022 and May 2023 and opened three online surveys to collect feedback on priorities and draft policy language. The Zero Waste Advisory Commission (ZWAC)’s URO Committee met on October 20, 2022 and December 1, 2022 to discuss the proposed changes. Stakeholders included apartment managers, multifamily residents, private haulers, and non-profits. ZWAC URO committee members, stakeholders, and staff discussed concerns about composting at multifamily properties, which included site placement constraints for containers, compostable material contamination, costs of service impacts, and access to composting for multifamily residents. Based on stakeholder feedback, ARR staff developed recommended language for the amended Code and Administrative Rules and presented that to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission. The Commission voted to xx on a x-x vote. REVISIONS Revisions to Austin City Chapter 15-6, Article 5 include: a) Adding language to require the “responsible party for a …
6. Presentation - multifamily composting — original pdf
MULTIFAMILY COMPOSTING Proposed URO Amendments ZWAC 8/9/2023 Agenda • URO Overview • Policy Development Process • Existing Policy • Proposed Amendments - Code • Proposed Amendments – Admin Rules Universal Recycling Ordinance • In effect since 2012 • Requires recycling at multifamily & commercial • Requires organics diversion at food permitted properties businesses • Convenient access • Education and signs • Report annually • Enforcement: Class C Misdemeanor Why Compost? Community Engagement Process PILOT • Spring ‘21 – Winter ‘22 PHASE 1 • Fall 2022 • Tested composting at 8 • 5 Meetings properties • Findings published in report • Online Survey • URO Committee Recommendations • ZWAC Recommendations PHASE 2 • March – Draft 1 Speak Up Austin Survey • April – Draft 2 Speak Up Austin Survey • 2 Meetings Phase 1 Feedback • Convenient access • Education • Contamination a concern • Costs a concern, how they are passed on • Flexible requirements • Residents overall in favor, with some concerns • Contamination, education, cleanliness Phase 2 Feedback • Draft 1 Survey – Open 3/1 -3/31 • 191 Comments (62 participants) • Draft 2 Survey – Open 4/10 – 5/7 • 202 Comments (54 participants) • Speak Up Austin – draft documents and FAQ • https://publicinput.com/w0633 Composting service required at all multifamily properties Minimum 1 gallon per unit per week and no overflowing containers Annual education, signs and labels on containers* Convenient access required Annual reporting* Enforcement: Class C misdemeanor* • Effective Oct. 1, 2024 * Indicates existing code/rules language Proposed Policy Overview Existing Policy • Education • Annual Reporting • Convenience • Signs • Waivers • Enforcement Existing Policy References • § 15-6-93 - EDUCATION. • § 15-6-101 - ANNUAL DIVERSION PLAN. • Rules 8.8 – Exterior Collection Areas, Points, and Containers common areas • Rules 8.9 – Interior collection & containers in • Rules 8.10 – Promotion and Education • Rules 8.11 – Waiver Process • Rules 8.12 - Compliance and Enforcement Proposed Amendments § 15-6-91 AFFECTED PREMISES. (A)(2) After October 1, 2024, and for premises with five or more dwelling units, ensure that tenants and employees have access to composting services described under this article, for that portion of the premises that is multi-family residential § 15-6-92 DIVERSION REQUIREMENTS FOR AFFECTED PREMISES. On-site recycling and organic material diversion (A) services required under this article shall: … (3) … collect at least the following materials, …
7. Natural Systems Working Group Draft Recommendations — original pdf
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20230726-XXX Date: August 23, 2023 Subject: Priorities for implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Description of Recommendation to Council Natural Systems and Food & Product Consumption Recommendations: 1. More data and information and more frequent updates to the dashboard is needed to better gauge Austin’s state progress on climate goals. Publish a schedule of official updates to the Climate Equity Plan implementation dashboard, including metrics and more formalized equity accounting, to enable the public to see progress toward Austin’s climate equity goals. Recommend biannual or quarterly updates. 2. Seek out and incorporate indigenous knowledge into the PARD Recommended Land Management Strategy recommendation, with appropriate compensation to contributors for their time and expertise. 3. Make permitting paperwork for community gardens available in Spanish and develop a plan to reach the Spanish-speaking community Commented [1]: Do we know they haven't incorporated indigenous knowledge? Commented [2R1]: Good point. I did not see it addressed in the PARD land management presentation, but have asked Staff to clarify. Commented [3]: Who is this recommended to? Does the city run these gardens? Commented [4R3]: The city approves permitting for community gardens on city-owned lands, with four unrelated volunteers and a sponsoring nonprofit. Details here: https://www.austintexas.gov/parks-and- recreation/community-garden-permit-guide 4. Explore the idea of piloting a sales-tax holiday for thrift store shopping and repair services, similar to the Back to School sales tax holiday weekends, to encourage residents to participate in the circular economy. 5. Set a disposal rate goal for ARR that declines over time 6. Accelerate goals in the ARR plan: near-term goals should be defined as 0-2 years. 3-5 years is medium-term. 7. Promote climate-friendly food choices within the retail and non-retail programs (Mobile Markets, Healthy Food Pantries and Pop-ups, etc.) by developing incentives for plant- based protein. 8. Circular economy- pilot re-usable/refillable develop incentives/programs for retail that provide refillable services using lower impact containers Rationale: Natural Systems and Food & Product Consumption Recommendations 1. Data gaps, in particular on the climate equity plan implementation dashboard, exist. Status of the actual implementation is sometimes out of date, and the individual carbon impact of any individual strategy is unknown, making recommendations sometimes difficult to assess. Additionally, equity accounting needs to be formalized. 2. Austin’s livable future depends on our ability to create and successfully implement sustainable environmental solutions. Sustainability is at the foundation of traditional ecological knowledge, …
7. Sustainable Buildings Working Group Draft Recommendations — original pdf
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 2023XXXX-XXX Date: XXXX XX, 2023 Subject: Priorities for continuing implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Description of Recommendation to Council Sustainable Buildings Recommendations: 1. Adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with a local amendment to require space for a heat pump hot water heater, as quickly as possible. 2. Update the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure Ordinance (ECAD) to require energy efficiency upgrades to multifamily and commercial buildings that perform poorly on energy audits. 3. Create a density bonus (that stacks on top of Affordability Unlocked bonus and other bonus programs) to incentivize the use of the Passive House standard and/or Living Building Challenge standard. 4. Explicitly promote or incentivize the Passive House and/or Living Building Challenge standards throughout the City of Austin RFP and building funding scoring metrics (stating preference for and/or adding points to scoring for meeting these standards). 5. Split the Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) program into one track that applies to Smart Housing and a “standard” track for all other development. Allocate funding and staff to administer these programs. Allocate funding for incentives for Smart Housing to meet the requirements of the “standard” AEGB program. 6. Update Austin Energy’s Green Choice program to address current energy needs, such as load-matching renewable energy and improving grid resilience through energy storage. 7. Create a pilot program, possibly utilizing Austin Energy’s Energy Efficiency Services fee and/or Development Service Department funds, to explore the efficacy and cost of certified Passive House and/or Living Building Challenge multifamily projects. Recommend funding $3,000 per unit for first 1000 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units to certify and create a report detailing construction cost increases vis a vis utility savings and other benefits. Rationale: Sustainable Building Recommendations 1. The 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will result in more efficient residential and commercial building and will establish initial standards for electric-ready and EV-ready construction. These are important improvements that are called for in the Austin Climate Equity Plan and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Constructing buildings that are efficient and allow for electrification is more cost effective than retrofitting them later. This is a low-cost option for the city because builders would make the investments. It will also ultimately reduce costs for building owners and occupants. 2. The Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure Ordinance (ECAD) was a good first step …
7. Transportation Working Group Draft Recommendations — original pdf
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20230726-XXX Date: August 23, 2023 Subject: Priorities for implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Description of Recommendation to Council Transportation Electrification Recommendations: 1. Allocate funding for staff/consultant to define and conduct an EV Community Needs Assessment . communities. 2. Provide city-wide incentives for buying and leasing EVs targeted only to low-income 3. Create a coalition (including organizations that already have trust in the community) to provide education on clarifying the EV charging process, raise awareness about available incentives and increase community involvement by providing systematically excluded groups career/education opportunities focusing on EVs and EV charging infrastructure. Transportation and Land Use Recommendations: 1. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends allocating [$500,000] to pilot a Universal Basic Mobility Program (UBMP) that would advance strategy #2 above all and would forward these other strategies toward Goal 3 as well. These funds would go toward 1. Allocating or hiring [.5 FTE] in [OOS? Transpo? Capmetro?] to manage the one-year pilot, to educate UBMP participants on how to use public transit and shared mobility safely, and to assess UBMP pilot's efficacy; and 2. Providing [300] low-income residents of Austin with [$100] debit cards per month for one year to pay for public transit, shared bikes and e-bikes, and shared e-scooters. 2. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends the City of Austin take a comprehensive approach to extreme heat mitigation, response, and resiliency, with a focus on the following priority actions a. Cool Corridor Program. Identify key mobility corridors that could serve as “cool corridors” with natural and engineered shade/cooling solutions to provide safe, climate-resilient connectivity on key pedestrian and transit routes. These corridors should (1) prioritize benefits in low-income neighborhoods facing high heat vulnerability, (2) address gaps based on the City’s existing heat vulnerability analyses, and (3) be developed in consultation with community-based organizations. Initial locations to prioritize for cool corridors should include the Rundberg community and the St. Johns, Montopolis, Franklin Park, and Dove Springs neighborhoods, due to high heat vulnerability as measured by various socioeconomic and heat exposure indicators. Key investments in cool corridors should include the following: Drought-tolerant tree plantings; i. ii. In partnership with CapMetro, Art in Public Places, and other key institutions and stakeholders, joint funding for research, design, and installation of resilient transit stops (including upgrades to existing transit stops) at sites facing high heat vulnerability (see existing example). These sites …
Agenda — original pdf
REGULAR MEETING of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Building and Standards Commission may be participating via videoconference. The meeting may also be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Melanie Alley at 512-974-2679 or melanie.alley@austintexas.gov. AGENDA The Building and Standards Commission (“Commission”) may go into a closed session under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel or for other reasons permitted by law as specifically listed on this agenda. Further, if necessary, the Commission may go into a closed session as permitted by law regarding any item on this agenda. Building and Standards Commission Members Logan Schugart Stephen Truesdell, Fire Marshall (Ex Officio) Sade Ogunbode, Chair Edgar Farrera, Vice Chair Timothy Stostad Joseph Benigno Edward Selig Michael Francis Luis Osta Lugo Blaine Campbell CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. Approve the minutes of the Building and Standards Commission regular meeting on July 26, APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2023. PUBLIC HEARINGS New Case(s): The Commission will hear the following cases concerning alleged violations of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and may issue an order to vacate, relocate occupants, repair, demolish, or secure the premises; and may assess civil penalties: Page 1 Property address: 4807 Duval Street / Owner: Lyle Leroy Davis Staff presenter: Alicia Tovar Staff recommendation: Repair single family residential structure Property address: 5606 S Congress Avenue/ Johnny Ray McNabb Staff presenter: Johnny Serna Staff recommendation: Repair single family residential structure 2. Case Number: CL 2023-087183 3. Case Number: CL 2023-087171 4. Case Number: CL 2023-096591 Property address: 4707 Ganymede Drive / Owner: Chung Family Investments LLC Staff presenter: Lauren Taggart Staff recommendation: Repair primary structure and demolish mobile home 5. Case Number: CL 2023-088888 Property address: 2519 Rockridge Drive/ …
Approved Minutes — original pdf
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 23, 2023 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, August 23, 2023 The BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 23 August, 2023, at the CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC), 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE, ROOM 1405, in Austin, Texas. Chair OGUNBODE called the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION (BSC) Meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Sade Ogunbode; Vice-chair Edgar Farrera; Commissioners: Blane Campbell, Michael Francis, Luis Osta Lugo, Logan Schugart, Edward Selig and Timothy Stostad. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Joseph Benigno and Ex Officio Commissioner Chief Stephen Truesdell. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one appeared before the Commission for public communication. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on July 26, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of July 26, 2023 were approved on COMMISSIONER FRANCIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL’s second on a 8-0-0 vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Conduct a public hearing and consider case number CL 2023-087183; Property address: 4807 Duval Street. COMISSIONER OSTA LUGO moved to table the discussion until after counsel receives legal advice on the matter, COMMISIONER CAMPBELL’s second. The motion passed on a 9-0-0 vote COMMISIONER CAMPBELL moved item, COMMISSIONER SCHUGART’s second. The motion passed on a 9-0-0 vote. to un-table the 1 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 23, 2023 COMISSIONER OSTA LUGO moved to continue this agenda item until the September meeting, COMMISSIONER FARRERA’s Second. The motion passed on a 9-0-0 vote. 3. Conduct a public hearing and consider case number CL 2023-087171; Property address: 5606 S Congress Avenue. COMISSIONER SELIG moved to close the public hearing, COMMISSIONER FRANCIS’ second. COMMISSIONER FRANCIS made a motion to adopt City staff’s recommended order for repair, with the modification of the compliance period from 45 to 90 days, with a penalty of $250 per week thereafter if repairs not complete, COMMISSIONER SELIG’s second. The motion passed on a 9-0-0 vote. 4. Conduct a public hearing and consider case number CL 2023-096591; Property address: 4707 Ganymede Drive. VICE-CHAIR FARRERA moved to close the public hearing and adopt City staff’s recommended order for repair of the primary residential structure and demolish the mobile home structure within 45 days, with a penalty of $250 per week if repairs not completed and allow the Code Official to proceed with demolition if …
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JIC Meeting Agenda - August 23rd, 2023 — original pdf
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA AUGUST 23rd, 2023 REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. CST AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701 MEETING AGENDA This meeting is being held in a hybrid format, and some members of the Commission may be participating by video conference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or via telephone. Remote speakers must register in advance (August 22nd by 12pm-Noon CST). All public comments will occur at the beginning of the meeting and public speakers will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. To speak or attend remotely, residents must contact the Equity Office’s Business Process Consultant, Jeremy Garza, no later than 12pm-noon (CST) on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023. Please telephone call at (512) 978-1797 and/or email jeremy.garza@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, the item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address, and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT JIC MEMBER COMMISSIONS & REPRESENTATIVES: Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Commission for Women Primary Representative: Alternate Representative: Serita Fontanesi Antonio Ross Hanna Huang Nayer Sikder Juliana Gonzalez Richard Bondi Commission on Aging Commission on Immigrant Affairs Miriam Dorantes Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Human Rights Commission Leonor Vargas Amanda Afifi (Chair) VACANT Rebecca Austen Teresa Ferguson Melissa Ortega Eliza Gordon Ivana Neri Morgan Davis LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities VACANT VACANT Jennifer Powell Elizabeth Meyer JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA AUGUST 23rd, 2023 MEETING AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on JULY 26th, 2023. DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Discussion on gathering questions for the City Manager’s Office regarding the changes to the telework policy for city personnel; the hiring process for a new Director for the Office of Police Oversight, a new Chief Equity Officer, and the search for a new permanent city manager; and about the organizational changes the City Manager would like to make …
Approved Minutes — original pdf
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 23rd, 2023 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 2023 The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 2023, at CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101, 301 W 2ND STREET in AUSTIN, TEXAS. Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING to order at 3:04pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Nayer Sikder Commission for Women: Julie Glasser Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Miriam Dorantes Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT Staff in Attendance: Equity Office, Business Process Consultant – Jeremy Garza JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 23rd, 2023 MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on JULY 26th, 2023. The minutes from the REGULAR meeting of JULY 26th, 2023 were approved on COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI’s motion, COMMISIONER JULIE GLASSER’s second on a 9 – 0 vote. Discussion on gathering questions for the City Manager’s Office regarding the changes to the telework policy for city personnel; the hiring process for a new Director for the Office of Police Oversight, a new Chief Equity Officer, and the search for a new permanent city manager; and about the organizational changes the City Manager would like to make to the Equity Office, Civil Rights Office, Small & Minority Business Resources Department, Office of Sustainability, and the Resilience Office. Hiring Question: What is the timeline to fill the vacant positions and those being held interim positions? Hiring Question: Will there be community input or community participation in the hiring process or feedback? Hiring Question: Do they envision a need to change or modify the posting for the vacant positions before starting the hiring process? Concern that reclassification slows down the process more. Hiring Question: What will public communication look like throughout the process since these are such high-profile roles? DISCUSSION ITEM 2. JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING …
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Agenda — original pdf
1. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION AUGUST 23, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM, #1101 301 W 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Ethics Review Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public Speakers: Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak once, either in-person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. If participating remotely by telephone, a speaker must register no later than noon the day before the meeting. To register to speak remotely, contact Lizette Benitez at (512) 974-2915 or lizette.benitez@austintexas.gov. Vice-Chair Mary Kahle Secretary Nguyen Stanton-Adams Haksoon Andrea Low Alysa Nunez Edward Espinoza William Ross Pumfrey Mikki Teneyuca CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Chair Luis Soberon Amy Casto Michael Lovins Sidney Williams CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA There is no limit on the number of speakers who may speak on agenda items. There is a limit on the number of speakers who may speak on items not posted on the agenda—only the first ten speakers who register prior to the meeting being called to order will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address non-agenda items. For more information on public communication, please see the “Notice Regarding Public Communication” at the end of this agenda. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel on any matter listed in this agenda. The Commission may go into Executive Session to discuss: 1 A complaint filed by Daniel Llanes against José Velásquez raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-7 (Ethics and Financial Disclosures), Subsection 2-7-72(E) (Reports). PRELIMINARY HEARING 2. A complaint filed by Daniel Llanes against José Velásquez raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-7 (Ethics and Financial Disclosures), Subsection 2-7-72(E) (Reports). 3. Approve the minutes of the Ethics Review Commission Regular Meeting on June 28, 2023. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 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 …
Approved Minutes — original pdf
ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 23, 2023 The Ethics Review Commission convened in a Regular Commission meeting on August 23, 2023, at City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room #1101, at 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas and via Videoconference. Chair Soberon called the Ethics Review Commission Meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Luis Soberon, Vice-Chair Mary Kahle, and Commissioners Amy Casto, Edward Espinoza, Haksoon Andrea Low, Michael Lovins, William Ross Pumfrey, and Sidney Williams were present at City Hall. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Alysa Nuñez. Commissioners Absent: Secretary Nguyen Stanton-Adams and Commissioner Mikki Teneyuca. Vacancy: None. City Staff in Attendance: Lizette Benitez, Staff Liaison; and Victoria Hayslett, Commission Executive Liaison & Assistant City Attorney. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL One speaker, Christina Flores, signed up for General Communication in person and was allotted three minutes to speak. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel on any matter listed in this agenda. The Commission may go into Executive Session to discuss: A complaint filed by Daniel Llanes against José Velásquez raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-7 (Ethics and Financial Disclosure), Subsection 2-7-72(E) (Reports). The Commission went into Executive session at 6:12 p.m. Commissioner Nuñez abstained from items 1 and 2 and did not participate in Executive Session. 1 The Commission reconvened the public meeting at 7:19 p.m. However, Commissioner Nuñez did not rejoin the meeting. PRELIMINARY HEARING A complaint filed by Daniel Llanes against José Velásquez raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-7 (Ethics and Financial Disclosure), Subsection 2-7-72(E) (Reports). Parties attending: Complainant’s counsel Bill Aleshire, Complainant Daniel Llanes, and Respondent’s counsel Ross Fischer. All parties signed oath forms and spoke on item 2. The Commission heard opening statements from Bill Aleshire, Counsel for Complainant, and Ross Fischer, Counsel for the Respondent. The Commission then asked questions of the parties. Commissioner Low’s motion to find reasonable grounds that a violation occurred and set a final hearing was seconded by Vice-Chair Kahle. The motion was tabled by unanimous consent. Counsel for Respondent Ross Fischer provided an admission to the Commission that there was a violation to counts 1, 2, and 4 on the complaint filed. Commissioner Williams’ motion to find that an admission has been made to counts 1, …
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Llanes - Velasquez Letter of Admonition to Respondent — original pdf
City of Austin Ethics Review Commission LETTER OF ADMONITION August 31, 2023 Hon. José Miguel Anwar Velásquez City of Austin Ethics Review Commission Determination of Sanctions under City Code, Section 2-7-48(C)(2) TO: FROM: DATE: RE: In accordance with Chapter 2-7 of the Austin City Code, this letter is to advise you that the City of Austin Ethics Review Commission (the “Commission”) has completed its consideration of the complaint filed with the Commission against you on July 14, 2023. The Complaint alleges that you violated Austin City Code, Chapter 2-7-72(E), which deals with information required for disclosure in required Statements of Financial Information (“SFI”). The Complaint states you violated these provisions by failing to include certain income sources and board membership in your 2021 and 2022 SFI filings. During the preliminary hearing on the complaint, through your counsel you admitted that three of the four violations cited in the complaint (as set out in Counts 1, 2, and 4) had occurred. The Commission determined based on those admissions and the available record that the violations set out in Counts 1, 2, and 4 had occurred, and also found that reasonable grounds did not exist to believe that a violation of Austin City Code had occurred with respect to Count 3 of the complaint. The Commission recognizes that you filed corrected SFIs including certain information that had not been provided previously, and that you admitted to violations at the hearing, which you assert were inadvertent. The Commission directs that you be mindful of the various provisions of Austin City Code that are the subject of this complaint as well as all other applicable provisions of the Austin City Code moving forward in your future financial disclosures. Based on those determinations, the Commission issues this letter of admonition to you. This action is effective as of the 31st day of August 2023. CITY OF AUSTIN ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION Luis Soberon Chair, Ethics Review Commission