Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240228-XXX Subject: Joint Sustainability Committee Budget Recommendations (Low-Carbon Concrete) Motioned By: Seconded By: Date: February 28, 2024 Recommendation Description of Recommendation to Council Low carbon concrete: The City of Austin Climate Equity Plan Goal 3 says : “By 2030, reduce the embodied carbon footprint of building materials used in local construction by 40%.”. Producing concrete emits CO2 through energy required to produce it as well as the chemical process, and procuring the concrete we need to grow represents a significant portion of Austin’s footprint: 78,700 metric tons in 2023, and construction has the highest impact on carbon in terms of total city spend. Growing Austin while reducing our carbon footprint thus requires the use of low concrete concrete technology, but testing is required before scaling novel materials. Thus, the JSC recommends that $150,000 be allocated to the Office of the City Engineer division of Austin Transportation and Public Works Department for 1. Field pour demonstrations using concrete containing a total cementitious content that is 50% or more decarbonized relative to a national ordinary portland cement average embodied carbon intensity of 922 kilograms per tonne of cement, and 2. An intern to assist the Department of Engineers to procure and implement the cement testing. This work should be conducted in close coordination with the Office of Sustainability and Capital Delivery Services.
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Date: February 28, 2024 Subject: Green Streets Initiative Recommendations Recommendation Support of the Green Streets Initiative Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Sustainability recommends that the Austin City Council approve the proposed Green Streets Initiative that minimizes barriers to plant and maintain street trees located in R.O.W’s for both public and private projects. Rationale: Prioritizing street trees in R.O.W’s aligns with the goals of the Austin Climate Equity plan. Specifically as it supports the improvement of air quality and temperature reduction within Austin’s Urban Core.
GREEN STREETS INITIATIVE Street Trees Keep Austin Cool March 28, 2024 Joint Sustainability Committee We Need Street Trees: STREETS ARE HOT & DANGEROUS ● Austin is warm and getting warmer - By 2050, Austin is estimated to experience an average of ~3 months per year (82-95 days) with a heat index over 100° compared to ~1 month” historically (29 days) ● It is even hotter in the Streets - Unshaded streets become “urban heat islands”, absorbing and reflecting the sun’s heat, causing streets to be 5-10° hotter than other parts of the city. ● Our streets are dangerous - 2022 was the deadliest year on Austin roads topping the previous record set in 2021. We Need Street Trees: IMPACTS & ACCESS ARE INEQUITABLE ● Low-income and BIPOC communities in Austin are disproportionately impacted by dangerous streets and extreme heat ● Tree canopy is inevitably distributed Austin, TX - Pedestrian incidents per 100,000 (2019-2022) Source: Austin Vision Zero via Urbinden Design Lab * Approximation- Available data misaligned. Incidents by race from 5 year avg. (2017-2022), total pop. from 2020 census, pedestrian incidents averaged 4 year avg. (2019-2022) We Need Street Trees: STREET TREES MAKE OUR STREETS COOLER & SAFER ● Street trees shade create microclimates on our sidewalks and bikeways with shade and evapotranspiration ● Street trees slow vehicle speeds and reduce the frequency and severity of crashes. Source: Urbinden Design Lab Barriers: REGULATIONS ● Private development is only required to provide street trees on ~3.3% of the streets in Austin. Incentivized ~1.1% ● Where street trees are required, it is easier to get relief from the requirement than to comply ● TCM street tree requirements are NOT regulatory - NOT enforced (required on level 2 and up) 3.3% 1.1% * 95.6% * Some PUDs may include street trees requirements (example: Mueller). PUDs represent ~8% of the City of Austin Barriers: ADMINISTRATIVE RULES ● Criteria Manual rules protect departmental interests, do not optimize limited ROWs, do not understand how trees grow ● Some rules conflict with City goals, policies, and priorities, often superseding adopted regulations ● Inflated rules trigger case-by-case departmental review of street trees - reducing predictability and often prohibiting street trees Interpretation of existing code Urban condition best practice Barriers: PROCEDURES ● Street trees require license agreement to privatize maintenance responsibility ● License agreement process is duplicative of site plan review ○ Adds time - upto 2 years ○ …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES Jan 24, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Permitting and Development Center. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:07 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Haris Qureshi, Chris Maxwell-Gaines Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Melissa Rothrock, Jon Salinas, Alice Woods, Amy Noel, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Charlotte Davis, Christopher Campbell, Anna Scott Board Members Absent: Larry Franklin, Bertha Delgado, Stephanie Bazan, Yure Suarez City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala, Angela Johnson, Ed Poppit, Zach Baumer CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Santiago – volunteer at Festival Beach Food Forest Responding to TxDOT’s I-35 proposal o Regarding non-conforming uses and stormwater tunnel under Cesar Chavez 6. Approval of minutes from the December 13th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Qureshi motions to approve, Wheeler seconds, passes on 12-0 vote (Maxwell-Gaines off dais). 7. Low Carbon Concrete Presentation –Angela Johnson and Ed Poppit, Office of the City Engineer Presentation on approach taken in response to council resolution concrete Question on are they asking suppliers to disclose rather than requiring low carbon o Poppit – looking towards enhancements in the future. Pilots, testing (e.g. carbon injection in sidewalks), but not far down the road of action. Need more support to take more action. Taking small steps now – educating producers, etc. o Mix of fixes – no silver bullet. Changing processes, changing energy sources, changing component mixtures. o Johnson: Plan is evolving and shifting based on new knowledge advancements o Poppit: Old way was prescriptive, new path might be performance-based (meet certain important characteristics). Puts pressure on city staff to ensure performance meets needs. o This was supposed to go to council in November, no updates. o EPDs coming into effect Oct 2024 o White: need to move faster o Clarification from Campbell – CO2 impacts are in metric tons, not MMT 3. Recommendations to amend ACEP re: telework policies and AE zero waste goal Qureshi motions to approve, Scott seconds Does there need to be specificity in the time for a target? Is it aggressive enough? JSC members discuss at length. JSC ‘further recommends that ACEP be updated in near future to refine the disposal rate goal with clear target dates and set more ambitious interim goals’ Woods amendment – …
Joint Sustainability Committee 2023 Action Plan Prepared by Jen Cregar, Terra Lumina Consulting January 2023 JSC Purpose from Bylaws The joint committee shall advise the council on matters related to conservation and sustainability; and ● review City policies and procedures relevant to the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan, including planning, implementation, community engagement, goal setting, and progress monitoring; ● promote close cooperation between the council, City management, City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies concerned with the politics, procedures, and implementation of the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan, with the goal of coordinating all similar activities within the City and the community in order to secure the greatest public benefit; and forward to the city manager all advisory material that the joint committee provides to the council, the Office of Sustainability, City departments and offices, or City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces. 2 JSC Purpose in Plain Speak The JSC advises the City Council and supports coordination among the City and community in implementing the Austin Climate Equity Plan. Community Members City Council Other Public Agencies/ Institutions City Departments Businesses Community Organizations 3 Proposed 2023 JSC Action Plan 1. Define what JSC considers a “high impact” strategy. This could include: ― Ability to increase equity in processes and/or outcomes (e.g., strategy would focus on a disinvested/ ― GHG reduction potential marginalized group or part of town) ― Relative implementation progress so far ― Responsible party’s ability (capacity + willingness) to implement the strategy, where the responsible party could be a City department, community group, etc. 2. Create working groups (WGs) to identify high impact strategies per section of the ACEP. WGs should be diverse and may include JSC members, department staff, and other community members if additional experience/perspectives are needed. WGs could be organized as follows: ― Sustainable Buildings (energy + materials) ― Transportation & Land Use + Transportation Electrification (mobility + electrification) ― Consumption + Natural Systems (food, products, and green infrastructure) 4 Proposed 2023 JSC Action Plan (cont.) 3. Working groups make recommendations for priority actions to advance their high impact strategies. Potential action areas could include: ― Budget/funding, potentially including a non-City of Austin funding partner ― Accountability tools (e.g., adding more detail to dashboard, promoting dashboard for increased awareness) ― Coalition building ― Policy changes (could be no to low …
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240228-XXX Date: February 28, 2024 Subject: Joint Sustainability Committee Budget Recommendation (Pro-Climate/Pro-Health Foods) Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Description of Recommendation to Counci: Incentives and Education for Pro-Climate, Pro-Health Foods: The City of Austin Climate Equity Plan Food & Product Consumption Goal 1 says “By 2030, ensure all Austinites can access a food system that is community driven, addresses food insecurity, prioritizes regenerative agriculture, supports dietary and health agency, promotes plant-based foods, and minimizes food waste.: Strategy 3 is to “Incentivize pro-climate, prohealth, food choices” with a variety of programs, including “Enhance[d] incentives to make pro-climate, pro-health food choices more affordable.” Due to the large amount of resources that it takes to produce meat, dairy and eggs, reducing consumption of these foods is one of the most effective ways for people to reduce their impact on the climate and the environment in general. Plant-based alternatives are available, but many people aren’t familiar with these foods or their benefits and some plant-based foods can be more expensive. Thus an education campaign and incentives are needed. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that: $200,000 be allocated to the Office of Sustainability for a Pro-Climate Food Education and Incentive Program. These funds should be spent on a multi-lingual public education and marketing campaign to promote pro-climate/pro-health plant-based meat, dairy and egg alternatives and identification of opportunities to provide effective incentives for pro-climate/pro- health foods at local restaurants and grocery stores. The Office of Sustainability and Austin Public Health should work together on the public education and marketing campaign.
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240228-XXX Date: February 28, 2024 Subject: Recommendation on supporting pro-climate food choices in the Austin Food Plan Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation: The Joint Sustainability Committee supports the work being done to develop the Austin Food Plan and recommends that a goal be added to “Support increasing awareness of the importance and benefits choosing pro-climate, pro-health foods and address barriers to accessing pro-climate, pro-health foods.” Strategies to achieve this goal should include education campaigns, partnerships with grocery stores and other food providers, incentives for plant-based alternatives to carbon-intensive foods, and changes to city purchasing policies. Rationale: The Joint Sustainability Committee supports an increased emphasis on encouraging and promoting pro-climate eating because: 1. Animal food products are responsible for at least between 11% and 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 2. There is a policy gap at all levels of government when it comes to addressing greenhouse gas emissions from food choices. 3. Awareness of the importance of food choices in mitigating climate change is lower compared to other climate solutions, such as switching to renewable energy. 4. Changing personal behaviors is possible but can be challenging and requires a dedicated effort. 5. While federal policies are a significant driving force behind the increased consumption of high-emission, unhealthy foods, food choices ultimately occur at the local and individual level. Local efforts can address information and accessibility gaps. a. Pro-climate, pro-health foods are available but are often not featured as prominently as high-carbon, unhealthy food options in local grocery stores. b. Pro-climate, pro-health foods are available, but some are more expensive.
DRAFT Joint Sustainability Committee Transportation & Land Use Budget Recommendations Transportation Electrification Budget Recommendations The Joint Sustainability Commission (JSC) recommends that the City of Austin (COA) Equity Office conduct an Electric Vehicles Needs Assessment in collaboration with a hired consultant, CapMetro, Austin Energy, and COA Departments of Transportation and Public Works, Public Health, Economic Development, and Office of Sustainability. The assessment should focus on the Eastern Crescent, including the Rundberg and Dove Springs areas. The assessment should build on community engagement and feedback (such as leveraging an Ambassadors program and partnering with entities such as Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance [TxETRA] education fund) to address mobility challenges in these regions and consider other electric mobility options such as buses, shuttles, neighborhood circulators carsharing. The Assessment should include the following: ● A report and presentation to JSC, COA Office of Sustainability, and key identified community members within one year of the budget approval. The report and presentation should include but is not limited to: ○ Identifying the intersections of mobility challenges, transportation electrification, public health and racial and economic justice ○ Action items and recommended programs on how to achieve EV education and adoption focusing on overburdened communities, along with funding sources to implement the programs. ○ Identify major obstacles for EV adoption and corresponding action items to address the obstacles ○ A framework for EV education that focuses on clarifying the EV charging process, raising awareness about available incentives, and increasing community involvement by connecting systematically excluded groups with job and training/education opportunities in the EV field ○ Build on existing community assessments and recommendations such as Austin/Vamos Austin’s (GAVA’s) neighborhood circulators carsharing and TxETRA workshop on transportation justice in the EV Ecosystem ○ Status for achieving Austin’s Climate Action Plan Transportation Electrification Goal 1 of 40% of total vehicle miles traveled in Austin electrified by 2030 and a description for a path to achieve this goal Budget: ● Total: 300K. Breakdown includes: ○ Hire consultant to assist with the Assessment: 150K ○ Equity Office to create a paid ambassador program to provide stipends to individuals and organizations that already have trust in the community to assist in the Assessment: 50K ○ Pilot for four (4) recommended programs in on the Eastern Crescent, including the Rundberg and Dove Springs areas: 100K Transportation & Land Use Budget Recommendations ID Amount ($) 1 $120k Request Dept. Notes 1 FTE: Community Engagement & …
Subject: Environmental Impact Study for Parking in Austin Motion by: Second by: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes Austin is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the United States; and WHEREAS, the most common transportation means remains to be the motor vehicles, either personal or commercial, which require vehicle parking at end destinations; and WHEREAS, as the City of Austin is actively engaged in making policy decisions concerning the amount and type of parking that should be utilized in new development, understanding the environmental benefits and harms for each option would better inform these decisions; and WHEREAS, cities across the United States are turning to sustainable solutions to reduce the environmental impact of parking; and WHEREAS, technology regarding sustainable parking options has advanced significantly in vertical parking structures which reduce the impervious cover footprint. Some of those advancements; green roofs and walls, solar panels on the roof or walls, rain catchment systems and rain gardens, downcast lighting to reduce light pollution, and shade sails which can help reduce the heat; and WHEREAS, there are improved surface parking practices that include; bioswales to reduce runoff and retain the water for onsite trees and vegetation, solar panels that produce energy and offer shade, downcast lighting that reduces light pollution, tree and vegetation configuration that reduces heat island effects, sound and light pollution; and WHEREAS, there are also advancements in recycling cement from older parking structures or parking lots to be considered; and WHEREAS, there are existing parking facilities and infrastructure that have excess capacity or are underutilized during certain times of day and we should study the maximal use of these facilities. THEREFORE, The Joint Sustainability Committee requests that the City of Austin work with a qualified independent research partner to study the environmental impacts of different vehicle parking options. The report should analyze and determine what are the most environmentally friendly options that would advance the City’s goals, including achieving net-zero carbon 2 of 2 emissions in the Climate Equity Plan, Austin’s Strategic Mobility plan, SOS ordinance, and the city ordinance to eliminate parking from commercial developments. When assessing environmental impacts, the Committee asks that the study include a Life Cycle Assessment that considers all necessary raw material extraction and processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, and final disposal of materials, as well as other considerations including but not limited to its ability to capture/treat stormwater, associated heat island effects, light pollution, and …
Active Working Groups - 2024 Kahle) • Race, Identity, and Equity Working Group (Consisting of Luis Soberon and Mary • Working Group to Prepare Calendar of Commission Duties and Responsibilities (Consisting of Ngyuen Stanton-Adams) – Creation of WG approved at July 2022 meeting. • Working Group to Review ERC Complaints Process (Consisting of Luis Soberon, Haksoon Andrea Low and Michael Lovins) – Creation of WG approved at August 2022 meeting.
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240228-014 Date: February 28, 2024 Subject: Joint Sustainability Committee Budget Recommendations 1. Climate Equity Plan Project Manager: The Austin Climate Equity Plan contains ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals and strategies to achieve those goals that touch every City department. Fully implementing the plan will reap great benefits to the City of Austin and its residents. The Office of Sustainability needs additional staff to track, report on, and coordinate this work to make the vision of the plan a reality. This position would be responsible for continually updating the Austin Climate Equity Plan Dashboard to reflect progress on each sub-strategy in the plan, including opportunities for the public to engage in the various initiatives (i.e. surveys, public meetings, working groups) and lists of NGOs engaging in various aspects of implementation. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that: one (1) Climate Equity Plan Project Manager be added to the Office of Sustainability. (est. $150,000) Motioned By: Qureshi Vote: 14-0 Yes: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Jon Salinas, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Christopher Campbell, Haris Qureshi, Charlotte Davis, Larry Franklin, Diana Wheeler, Melissa Rothrock, Amy Noel, Heather Houser, Alberta Phillips Off Dais: Stephanie Bazan Absent: Yure Suarez, Bertha Delgado Seconded By: Scott 2. Outreach and Engagement for Sustainability Incentives: The City of Austin has numerous sustainability incentive programs aligned with the goals of the Climate Equity Plan. However, many of these programs are underutilized, especially among low-income households. Additional community outreach by trusted organizations can increase the effectiveness of these programs. The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that $320,000 be allocated to the Office of Sustainability for: a. A Community Engagement Specialist (1 FTE) to coordinate community outreach and partnership activities associated with promoting the full suite of City of Austin sustainability incentives (i.e., home weatherization and repair, water conservation, rainwater collection, landscape and green infrastructure programs), with a focus on building relationships with low-income communities, communities of color, and related organizations and service providers. (est. $120,000) b. $200,000 for grants, contracts, and stipends for community leaders and community-based organizations to do direct outreach to promote sustainability incentive programs in targeted Austin communities, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability. Motioned By: Qureshi Vote: 14-0 Yes: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Jon Salinas, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Christopher Campbell, Haris Qureshi, Charlotte Davis, Larry Franklin, Diana Wheeler, Melissa Rothrock, Amy Noel, Heather Houser, Alberta Phillips Off Dais: Stephanie Bazan Absent: Yure Suarez, Bertha …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) RECOMMENDATION 20240228-004 RESOLUTION ON COMBATING ANTISEMITISM, ISLAMOPHOBIA, AND ANTI-ARAB SENTIMENTS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND CALLS FOR A CEASEFIRE Date: February 28th, 2024 Subject: Joint Endorsement of the Human Rights Commission’s Recommendation 20231106_001 Resolution on Combating Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Anti-Arab Sentiments in the City of Austin and Calls for a Ceasefire. Motioned by: Commissioner Melissa Ortega Seconded by: Commissioner Morgan Davis WHEREAS, the City of Austin is dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity and upholds the principles of equality and human rights; WHEREAS, incidents of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments are on the rise within our city, posing a significant threat to the well-being and safety of our diverse communities; WHEREAS, the City of Austin created the Joint Inclusion Committee in City Ordinance No. 20200827-013 so that it shall (1) advise the council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion; and (2) promote close cooperation between the council, City management, City boards, commissions, committees, and agencies to increase and sustain equity, diversity, and inclusion of the city; WHEREAS, it is our duty as the Joint Inclusion Committee of the City of Austin to address and combat discrimination, prejudice, and hate in all its forms; WHEREAS, we recognize the importance of creating a community where every resident can live free from fear and discrimination; WHEREAS, we express profound sorrow and condemnation for the tragic loss of Israeli civilians in the attack on October 7th by Hamas, and we vehemently denounce the indiscriminate retaliation by the State of Israel, which has resulted in collective punishment upon the civilian population of Gaza; WHEREAS, we find it deeply troubling that a dehumanization narrative is being used to rationalize criminal acts of war within this ongoing conflict; WHEREAS, it is the solemn responsibility of the Austin City Council to uphold human rights principles and universal values; 1 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee of the City of Austin firmly condemns all acts of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments within our city; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the City of Austin through all applicable agencies to: Vigorously combat acts of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments by implementing programs and initiatives aimed at prevention, education, and awareness. Provide support to victims of hate crimes related to antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments by ensuring that resources and assistance are readily …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) RECOMMENDATION 20240228-005 Resolution on Combating Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Anti-Arab Sentiments in the City of Austin and promoting a peaceful resolution for all. Date: February 28th, 2024 Subject: Joint Endorsement of the Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission’s 20240116-005 Resolution on Combating Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Anti-Arab Sentiments in the City of Austin and promoting a peaceful resolution for all. Motioned by: Commissioner Julie Glasser Seconded by: Commissioner Melissa Ortega RECOMMENDATION: In response to the ongoing Gaza Crisis and subsequent rise in hate-related incidents, the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that City Council directs City staff to execute a coordinated public awareness campaign combating antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Anti-Arab sentiment and for the Austin Police Department to develop a comprehensive coordinated response to victims of violence stemming from rhetoric of the Gaza Crisis. DESCRIPTION OF RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL: WHEREAS, the City of Austin is dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity, racial equity, and upholds the principles of equality and human rights; WHEREAS, the attack on October 7th by Hamas has led to the tragic loss of Israeli civilians and the subsequent indiscriminate retaliation by the State of Israel has led to the continued loss of civilian lives in Gaza; WHEREAS, rhetoric as a result of the global conflict has led to incidents of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments rising within our city, posing a significant threat to the well-being and safety of our diverse communities; WHEREAS, it is our duty as the Joint Inclusion Committee of the City of Austin to address and combat discrimination, prejudice, and hate against Americans, immigrants, and refugees in all its forms in order to foster a community where every resident can live free from fear and discrimination; WHEREAS, that the Joint Inclusion Committee of the City of Austin firmly condemns all acts of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments within our city; 1 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin City Council is called upon to direct City staff in executing a coordinated public awareness campaign that combats acts of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments by implementing programs and initiatives aimed at prevention, education, and awareness; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Austin Police Department coordinate with relevant community organizations and direct service agencies to develop a comprehensive coordinated response of enhanced and culturally appropriate victim’s services for those who experienced violence related to the rhetoric from the conflict; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) RECOMMENDATION 20240228-006 Transparent Hiring in Executive Leadership Date: February 28th, 2024 Subject: Joint Endorsement of the Asian American Quality-of-Life Recommendation 20240220-007 Transparent Hiring in Executive Leadership Motioned by: Commissioner Serita Fontanesi Seconded by: Commissioner Morgan Davis RECOMMENDATION: The Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that City Council members continue to direct the City Manager to cultivate a transparent and coordinated process of hiring executive leadership positions within the City of Austin, including the roles of the City Manager and Directors. DESCRIPTION OF RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL: WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to upholding good governance principles, including transparency and public accountability; and WHEREAS, recent instances of five leadership positions, transitioning from interim to permanent without public notification and feedback, based on the City’s organizational chart released in September 2023 and January 2024, have raised concerns about transparency and fairness in the hiring process; and WHEREAS, additional questions remain regarding the efficacy of the grouping of strategic offices such as Equity, Sustainability, Civil Rights, Innovation, Small Minority Business Resources and Resilience, most which operate with interim or acting leadership and three under one acting director; and WHEREAS, Interim City Manager Jesús Garza, in a memo dated January 30, 2024, addressed these concerns by acknowledging ongoing communication with Council Members and outlining his plans for key personnel hires within the next 90 days; and WHEREAS, while the City Manager has discretion over hiring and organizational structure, the many appointed and newly created executive leadership positions since late 2022 has caused significant community and negative news concern; and 1 WHEREAS, a transparent and inclusive hiring process fosters public trust, attracts qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds, and ensures a deliberate selection of the best individual for the job; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE: 1. Strongly urges City Council to direct the City Manager to properly and meaningfully reinforce the authority of the Strategic Offices of Equity, Sustainability, Civil Rights, Innovation, Small Minority Business Resources and Resilience as equals alongside other City Departments with Director information listed in the City’s organizational chart; 2. Advises the City Council to adopt a policy requiring the City Manager to prioritize public listing and a competitive application process for executive leadership positions, including positions only open to internal hires; 3. Recommends that City Council considers requiring new City Manager leadership provide them with more frequent or regularly scheduled executive staffing and …
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240228-013 Date: February 28, 2024 Subject: Recommendation on supporting pro-climate food choices in the Austin Food Plan Motioned By: White Seconded By: Qureshi Recommendation: The Joint Sustainability Committee supports the work being done to develop the Austin Food Plan and recommends that a goal be added to “Support increasing awareness of the importance and benefits choosing pro-climate, pro-health foods and address barriers to accessing pro-climate, pro-health foods.” Strategies to achieve this goal should include education campaigns, partnerships with grocery stores and other food providers, incentives for plant-based alternatives to carbon-intensive foods, and changes to city purchasing policies. Rationale: The Joint Sustainability Committee supports an increased emphasis on encouraging and promoting pro-climate eating because: 1. Animal food products are responsible for at least between 11% and 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 2. There is a policy gap at all levels of government when it comes to addressing greenhouse gas emissions from food choices. 3. Awareness of the importance of food choices in mitigating climate change is lower compared to other climate solutions, such as switching to renewable energy. 4. Changing personal behaviors is possible but can be challenging and requires a dedicated effort. 5. While federal policies are a significant driving force behind the increased consumption of high-emission, unhealthy foods, food choices ultimately occur at the local and individual level. Local efforts can address information and accessibility gaps. a. Pro-climate, pro-health foods are available but are often not featured as prominently as high-carbon, unhealthy food options in local grocery stores. b. Pro-climate, pro-health foods are available, but some are more expensive. Vote: 13-0 Yes: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Jon Salinas, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Christopher Campbell, Haris Qureshi, Larry Franklin, Diana Wheeler, Melissa Rothrock, Amy Noel, Alberta Phillips, Heather Houser, Stephanie Bazan Recuse: Charlotte Davis Off Dais: Alberta Phillips Absent: Yure Suarez, Bertha Delgado Attest: Rohan Lilauwala, Staff Liaison
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240228-015 Date: February 28, 2024 Subject: Great Streets Initiative Motion by: Salinas Second: Davis Recommendation Support of the goals of the Great Streets Initiative that contribute to the Green Infrastructure Resolution. Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the Austin City Council approve the proposed Great Streets Initiative that minimizes barriers to plant and maintain street trees located in city right-of-way for both public and private projects. Rationale: Prioritizing street trees in city right-of-way aligns with the goals of the Austin Climate Equity plan. Specifically, as it supports the improvement of air quality and temperature reduction within Austin’s Urban Core, provides for increased safety and comfort for cyclist and pedestrians and greatly contributes to the sequestration of carbon Vote: 14-0 Yes: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Jon Salinas, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Christopher Campbell, Haris Qureshi, Larry Franklin, Diana Wheeler, Melissa Rothrock, Amy Noel, Charlotte Davis, Heather Houser, Stephanie Bazan Off Dais: Alberta Phillips Absent: Yure Suarez, Bertha Delgado Attest: Rohan Lilauwala, Staff Liaison
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240228-017 Date: February 28, 2024 Subject: Recommendation for Environmental Impact Study for Parking in Austin Motion by: Qureshi Second by: White WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Committee recognizes Austin is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the United States; and WHEREAS, the most common transportation means remains to be the motor vehicles, either personal or commercial, which require vehicle parking at end destinations; and WHEREAS, as the City of Austin is actively engaged in making policy decisions concerning the amount and type of parking that should be utilized in new development, understanding the environmental benefits and harms for each option would better inform these decisions; and WHEREAS, cities across the United States are turning to sustainable solutions to reduce the environmental impact of parking; and WHEREAS, technology regarding sustainable parking options has advanced significantly in vertical parking structures which reduce the impervious cover footprint. Some of those advancements; green roofs and walls, solar panels on the roof or walls, rain catchment systems and rain gardens, downcast lighting to reduce light pollution, and shade sails which can help reduce the heat; and WHEREAS, there are improved surface parking practices that include; bioswales to reduce runoff and retain the water for onsite trees and vegetation, solar panels that produce energy and offer shade, downcast lighting that reduces light pollution, tree and vegetation configuration that reduces heat island effects, sound and light pollution; and WHEREAS, there are also advancements in recycling cement from older parking structures or parking lots to be considered as well as in low-carbon concrete; and WHEREAS, there are existing parking facilities and infrastructure that have excess capacity or are underutilized during certain times of day and we should study the maximal use of these facilities. THEREFORE, The Joint Sustainability Committee requests that the City of Austin staff study the environmental impacts of different vehicle parking options. The report should analyze and determine what are the most environmentally friendly options that would advance the City’s goals, including achieving net-zero carbon 2 of 2 emissions in the Climate Equity Plan, Austin’s Strategic Mobility plan, SOS ordinance, and the city ordinance to eliminate parking from commercial developments. When assessing environmental impacts, the Committee asks that the study include a Life Cycle Assessment that considers all necessary raw material extraction and processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, and final disposal of materials, as well as other considerations including but not limited …
