Zoning and Platting Commission Resolution Proposed Project Connect Ordinance – C20-2021-014 Amendment Whereas the Austin City Council passed Resolution 20211029-003 to direct the City Manager to Review City Code to: a. “Identify impediments to the design, construction, implementation, and operation of Project Connect;” and; b. “Develop new regulations and procedures to address the impediments.” Be It Resolved that the Zoning and Platting Commission encourages the Austin City Council to ask the City Manager to finish his review of identifying impediments, then develop new regulations and procedures in response to specific findings before adopting any code amendments.
ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20221101-08 Date: November 1, 2022 Subject: Project Connect Motioned By: Vice-Chair Kiolbassa Recommendation Whereas the Austin City Council passed Resolution 20211029-003 directing the City Manager to initiate code amendments to facilitate design, construction, and operation of Project Connect; and Whereas the Austin City Council passed Resolution 20211029-003 to direct the City Manager to Review City Code to: Seconded By: Commissioner King a. b. “Identify impediments to the design, construction, implementation, and operation of Project Connect;” and, “Develop new regulations and procedures to address the impediments.”; and Whereas an important goal of Project Connect is to facilitate and expand affordable transit opportunities that help small businesses and low- and middle-income families become more resilient and avoid involuntary displacement; and Whereas the proposed Project Connect Ordinance provides code amendments that are intended to streamline design and construction of Project Connect transportation infrastructure; now, therefore, Be It Resolved that the Zoning and Platting Commission encourages the Austin City Council to ask the City Manager to finish his review of identifying impediments, then develop new regulations and procedures in response to specific findings before adopting any code amendments; and Be It Further Resolved that to the extent that they do not materially delay Project Connect projects or add significant additional costs, the Zoning and Platting Commission encourages the Austin City Council to consider the following recommendations regarding the Project Connect Ordinance. Project Connect should: • Create and timely maintain a public consolidated dashboard that provides: o Information on Project Connect anti-displacement funds, programs, and resources available to families and businesses at risk of involuntary displacement along or immediately adjacent to Project Connect Corridors. o Demographics on families and businesses at risk of involuntary displacement along or immediately adjacent to Project Connect transit corridors. o Financial data on Project Connect anti-displacement bond funding provided to families and businesses along or immediately adjacent to Project Connect transit corridors. o Quarterly reports on Project Connect’s compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. • Ensure that Project Connect code amendments do not override environmental and air quality regulations, noise and amplified sound regulations, neighborhood review and public hearing requirements, public notice and protest rights, and variance review and hearing requirements. • Clearly define “Fast-Track Permit” and the associated fast-track permit process. • Seek recommendations from the Equity Office on all proposed Project Connect code amendments. • • • Brief …
Austin Transportation Placemaking Program Update Jason JonMichael | Assistant Director | 11.1.22 Smart Mobility Placemaking Program Placemaking / Placekeeping Agenda • • • ATD Collections Management Policy • Grant Opportunities • Artbox Program Street Banner Program • • Creative Crosswalk Program Living Streets Program • • Community Mobility Hubs Public Plaza Program • What is Placemaking? What is Placekeeping? A policy developed by the Smart Mobility Office allows the Department to incorporate public art into its transportation network. The policy governs the selection, commissioning, acquisition, design, fabrication, installation, accession, maintenance, repair, long-term care, and deaccession of the owned and loaned artwork. ATD's efforts were part of its commitment to foster vibrant street life, celebrating local communities, and improving safety in Austin. Grant Opportunities Artbox Program • Currently, we have completed 27 Artboxes • Created a process for community partners to sponsor their own Artboxes. • We expect to complete at least 20-30 more in the next two years. • Bike tour of murals and three newly community-inspired Artboxes along Airport Boulevard Nov. 11-13 Street Banner Program • ATD's Signs & Markings division has transitioned the Street Banner Program to Smart Mobility. • October 2022 marked the beginning of this transition. • The program is currently developing a new reporting and application process. • All administrative tasks, permits, and payment arrangements are included. Creative Crosswalk Program • Exploring licensing or permitting options long-term solutions for the program. • A standard operating procedure (SOP) is in development for this program. - As a guideline, it will include constraints, requirements, and regulations. Living Streets Program • The Living Streets Program aims to create a means for people to gather to celebrate, play, walk, bike or roll with comfort and safety on their neighborhood streets. Community Mobility Hubs Smart Hub Grand opening Georgian Acres neighborhood 312 East Wonsley Dr. Austin, TX 78753 Monday November 14, 2022 | 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Public Plaza / Promenade Program • public plazas can activate underutilized space with the purpose of creating safe, accessible, family friendly, and social public spaces Old Red River Phase Ia: Interim Short-Term Public Plaza THANK YOU
Vision Zero Austin: UTC Update November 1, 2022 1 Years of Life Lost 2,862 (Through 10/21/2022) * There were 7 fatalities of unknown age 2 Vision Zero / Safe Systems Approach ● An ethical approach to safety and mobility - fatalities and serious injuries should not be acceptable ● Human body is vulnerable ● Humans make mistakes ● Separate users in space and time ● Cannot predict where next severe crash happens; we can predict based on conditions where it is likely to occur 3 Vision Zero / Safe Systems Approach Austin Energy Public Works ATD Housing and Planning APD (Enforcement, Crash investigations) Vision Zero, Safe System Austin Public Health Local and State Policy Makers ATCEMS / Fire Law / Municipal Ct. / Travis County Attorney, District Attorney CapMetro, ATP TxDOT/State 4 Vision Zero / Safe Systems Approach Source: Vision Zero Network 5 Austin Data and Trends By Mode Fatal Crashes (2022, Jan through Oct*) Serious Injury Crashes (2022, Jan through Oct*) Mode 2022* % 2021 % Mode 2022* % 2021 % Pedestrians Bicyclists Motorcyclist Motorist 35 1 17 31 84 41.7% 1.2% 20.2% 36.9% 30 3 13 42 88 34.1% 3.4% 14.8% 47.7% * Data through 10/21/2022 Pedestrians Bicyclists Motorcyclist 16.6% 6.5% 18.2% 16.0% 6.4% 14.4% Motorist 58.7% 236 63.1% 64 25 70 226 385 60 24 54 374 Data disclaimer: Data accessed on 10/26/2022. There may be additional reports filed or changes which may impact these numbers before they are final. 6 Austin Data and Trends National data (2010-2020) Austin data (2013-2022) 7 Austin Data and Trends Additional Fatal Crash Analysis Year over Year Year 2018 2019 2020 2021 Off-System Fatal Crash % On-System Fatal Crash % 33.90% 66.10% 34.29% 65.71% 30.14% 69.86% 30.68% 69.32% 2022* 22.62% 77.38% 29.56% 70.44% * 2022 is projected Data disclaimer: Data accessed on 10/26/2022. There may be additional reports filed or changes which may impact these numbers before they are final. 8 Austin Data and Trends Key Takeaways: Comparing 2022 YTD to 2021 1. Combined, the total of fatal and suspected serious injury crashes are up ~2% in 2022 compared to 2021. ○ Fatal crashes are down ~5% compared to last year, suspected serious injury crashes are up ~3%; Total reportable crashes citywide are up ~2%. 2. Evening and early morning hours (8PM - 4AM) account for 45 out of the 84 fatal crashes. (33% of day, ~54%of fatal crashes) 3. Increasing …
1. Special Called Meeting of the Commission for Women Saturday, October 29, 2022 10:00am Permitting & Development Center (PDC): Rooms 1401 & 1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr. Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Commission for Women 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 Kiarrah Carlisle, (512) 978-1879, Kiarrah.Carlisle@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD COMMISSIONERS: Rebecca Austen, Chair Neva Fernandez Juliana Gonzales Jocelyn Tau Pam Rattan Desiree Bermea Flannery Bope, Vice Chair Diana Melendez Josephine Serrata Priscilla Cortez Vanessa Bissereth 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. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULE OF ORDER DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action on the QoL Life Study, including timeline, scope of purpose, & follow-up steps 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 Kiarrah Carlisle (512) 978-1879 or the Office of Civil Rights, Kiarrah.Carlisle@austintexas.gov , for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission for Women, please contact Kiarrah Carlisle at the Office of Civil Rights, at (512) 978-1879 or Kiarrah.Carlisle@austintexas.gov. at at
Commission for Women SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES Saturday, October 29, 2022 The Commission for Women convened in a special called meeting on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the Permitting & Development Center (PDC) –Rooms 1401 & 1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Chair Rebecca Austen called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 11:27 a.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Austen, Chair Priscilla Cortez Josie Serrata Jocelyn Tau Diana Melendez Pam Rattan Board Members/Commissioners Absent: Flannery Bope, Vice Chair Vanessa Bissereth Juliana Gonzales Neva Fernandez Desiree Bermea Staff in Attendance: Damien Pantoja, Office of Civil Rights Jeremy Garza, Equity Office Amanda Jasso, Equity Office Enakshi Ganguly, Equity Office Angelica Benton-Molina, Equity Office PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULE OF ORDER Motion to suspend Robert’s Rule of Order was approved by Chair Austen’s motion, Commissioner Rattan’s second on a (6-0) vote. (Vice Chair Bope, and Commissioners Bissereth, Bermea, Gonzales, and Fernandez were absent). 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and possible action on the QoL Life Study, including timeline, scope of purpose, & follow-up steps. Discussion was held. No action was taken. Chair Rebecca Austen adjourned the meeting at 1:48 p.m. without objection. The minutes from the meeting were approved on December 7, 2022 on Chair Austen’s motion, Vice Chair Bope’s second on a (6-0) vote. (Commissioners Serrata, Tau and Cortez were absent at the time of the vote). (Commissioners Rattan and Fernandez were absent). 2
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING AGENDA OCTOBER 26th, 2022 REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 2022 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 (October 25th 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 Commission/Neighborhood Liaison, Jeremy Garza, no later than 12pm- noon (CST) on Tuesday, October 25th, 2022. 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 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Commission on Seniors/Commission on Aging Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Human Rights Commission LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities JIC Representative: Alternative: Gregory Smith Serita Fontanesi Vincent Cobalis Hanna Huang Rebecca Austen Karen Crawford (Vice-Chair of JIC) Amy Temperley Diana Melendez Krystal Gomez Richard Bondi Raul Alvarez Amanda Afifi Johanna Hosking Pulido Sharon Vigil Idonna Griffith Charles Curry (Chair of JIC) Robin Orlowski Kimberly Brienzi Ryn Gonzalez Joey Gidseg OCTOBER 26th, 2022 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING AGENDA MEETING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER The meeting is called to order by Chair Charles Curry at: ROLL CALL: ABSENT: PRESENT: 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 COMMISSIONS SPECIAL CALLED MEETING on September 10th, 2022 and October 5th, 2022. Presentation form Scott J. Spivey-Provencio M.D. Candidate UT Austin Dell Medical on non-profit "Dollar For" helping to provide Medical Debt Relief STAFF PRESENTATION 2. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS …
REGULAR MEETING of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION Wednesday, October 26, 2022 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 Sade Ogunbode, Chair Edgar Farrera, Vice Chair Wordy Thompson John Green Michael Francis Joseph Benigno Thomas Vocke, Fire Marshall (Ex Officio) Andrea Freiburger Timothy Stostad Elizabeth Mueller Edward Selig 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 28, 2022. 1. Approve the minutes of the Building and Standards Commission regular meeting on PUBLIC HEARINGS Appeal(s): The Commission will hear the following appeal case and may take action: 2. Case Number: CL 2022-152966 Property address: 518 Sunny Lane/ Owners: Mehrad Yasrebi and Maryam Meda Yasrebi / Appellant: Mehrad Yasrebi Page 1 Staff presenter: Edmund Su Staff recommendation: Deny appeal of the notice of violation 3. Case Number OL 2020-041835 Property address: 8900 N IH 35, aka Orbit Apartments /Owner: 8900 Austin, LLC Staff presenter: James Adams Staff recommendation: Uphold Staff’s decision to suspend rental registration Returning for Commission Action: The Commission will hear the following returning cases that concern alleged violations of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and may issue orders to vacate, relocate occupants, repair, demolish, or secure the premises, and may assess or modify a civil penalty: Property address:1810 Clifford Avenue/ Owner: …
1. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION OCTOBER 26, 2022 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. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Chair Luis Soberon Debra Danburg Michael Lovins Sidney Williams Vice-Chair Mary Kahle Betsy Greenberg Donna Beth McCormick Vacancy – Mayor’s nominee AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Secretary Nguyen Stanton Raafia Lari Mikki Teneyuca 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 City Code Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance), Section 2-2-14 (Disclosure of Compliance with Chapter). DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Respondent Richard Smith’s amended request for postponement of October 26th preliminary hearing regarding a complaint filed by Julie Oliver against Richard Smith raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-2-14 (Disclosure of Compliance with Chapter). PRELIMINARY HEARING Consideration, discussion, and potential action regarding: 3. A complaint filed by Julie Oliver against Richard Smith, raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance), Section 2-2-14 (Disclosure of Compliance with Chapter). a. If the Commission votes to proceed to a final hearing, the Commission shall schedule a final hearing. b. If the Commission votes to proceed to a final hearing, the parties may request certain persons or …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING - HYBRID MEETING FORMAT October 26th at 6pm Austin City Hall – Council Chambers 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701 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 (Resource Mgmt. Commission) Haris Qureshi (Environmental Commission) Melissa Rothrock (Zero Waste Advisory Commission) Diana Wheeler (Urban Transportation Commission) Fisayo Fadelu (Community Development Commission) Frances Deviney (Austin Travis County Food Policy Board) Vacant - (Water & Wastewater Commission) Kelsey Hitchingham - (Economic Prosperity Commission) Richard DePalma - (Parks & Recreation Board) David Carroll (Design Commission) Alberta Phillips (City Council) Karen Hadden (Electric Utility Commission) Robert Schneider (Planning Commission) 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee on June 2. Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee on August 22nd, 2022. 24th, 2022. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 2023 meeting schedule 4. Austin Transportation Department Implementation of the Climate Equity Plan – Austin Transportation Department (Discussion and/or possible action) 5. Austin Energy Residential Rates and Value of Solar Tariff (Discussion and/or possible action) a. Resolution on Residential Rates b. Resolution on Value of Solar Tariff 6. Update on Austin Climate Equity Plan Implementation –Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability (Discussion and/or possible action) 7. Resolution on Texas Gas Service Conservation Programs from Resource Management Commission (No. 20220816-005) (Discussion and/or possible action) 8. Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions – (Discussion and/or possible action) 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 …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES June 22, 2022 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a regular hybrid meeting on June 22, 2022 via videoconferencing and at City Hall, Council Chambers, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:10 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Diana Wheeler Vice Chair, Richard DePalma, David Carroll Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Kaiba White Chair, Melissa Rothrock, Karen Hadden, Alexis Taylor, Frances Deviney, Fisayo Fadelu, Haris Qureshi Board Members Absent: Alberta Phillips, Christy Williams, Solveij Rosa Praxis City Staff in Attendance: Phoebe Romero PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Carlos Soto – Community Advancement Network o Provided overview of the community work at CAN, and opportunities for collaboration 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) May 25th, 2022, meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Motion to approve (Commissioner DePalma), second (Commissioner Carroll). Record of the vote: 10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 2. NEW BUSINESS and/or possible action) a) Rain to River Presentation –Andrea Bates, Watershed Protection Department (Discussion • Rain to River is a strategic plan to protect Austin’s creek and communities • Presentation provided insights on goals and metrics, community engagement phases, and projected timeline impacted groups, etc. • Overview of priority stakeholders, including historically underrepresented groups, • To get involved, community members can take the Community Vision Survey, which includes a mapping component b) Zero Waste and Circular Economy Presentation – Ken Snipes, Austin Resource Recovery (Discussion and/or possible action) • Provided presentation on current work that relates back to Food and Product Consumption goals in the Austin Climate Equity Plan • Will be developing a per capita waste diversion rate goal, and working on Circular Cities initiative to work with departments on transforming operations and procurement to a circular economy model; expanding new program offerings and promoting existing programs; trying out on-call bulk pickup program • Discussed difficulty with electrifying fleet to meet route distances needed due to limited waste transfer facilities c) Austin Regional Food Plan Presentation– Amanda Rohlich, Office of Sustainability (Discussion and/or possible action) • Overview of what constitutes a food system and disparities in food insecurity • Collaborating with HSEM to have an emergency operations plan • Food plan can comprehensively develop goals and strategies to address aspects of food system; created in response to a 2021 Council …
Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES August 24, 2022 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting on August 24, 2022 via videoconferencing and at City Hall, Council Chambers, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas Vice Chair Diana Wheeler called the Board Meeting to order at 6:32 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White, Diana Wheeler, Richard DePalma, David Carroll, Melissa Rothrock, Fisayo Fedulu, Haris Qureshi, Karen Hadden, Alberta Phillips, Solveij Rosa Praxis, Frances Deviney Board Members Absent: none City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer, Phillip Duran 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. • None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) Austin 24th, 2022, meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Postponed due to rules of order. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Austin Water Implementation of the Climate Equity Plan – Sherri Kuhl, Kevin Critendon, Heather Dalrymple, Kevin Kluge, Marisa Flores Gonzalez Austin Water • A presentation overview of Austin Water’s services and their role in Austin Climate Equity Plan implementation to meet water demand goal (152,000 acre-feet by 2030) • Near-term goals from Water Forward plan are in implementation phase • Updating Water Forward 2024 Equity Initiatives • Increasing access to Water Conservation Program through added language access and focus on underserved areas. Also increasing equitable access to all programs by reducing barriers of use (e.g. instant savings pilot program) • Commissioners questions to be submitted via email in the interest of time b) Resilient Austin – Laura Patiño, Chief Resilience Officer • An overview presentation on resilience in Austin • Resilience is referenced in existing City plans and efforts • Resilience is systems thinking that looks at elements before, during and after major events • Resilience across multiple scales: people, communities, City, Region • Pilot program of six Resilience Hubs to be established by the end of CY 2022. Physical place of refuge (heating/cooling, food, water), services, programming, and information available • Qureshi: Will there be medical services provided at the Resilience Hubs? • Patiño: Main focus for the 6 pilot sites is disaster preparedness. This work must complement HSEM efforts. What services will be provided is under consideration • DePalma: When will the cross departmental plan alignment assessment with resilience efforts be available? Who will be performing that work? • Patiño: Work is underway, …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE 2023 PROPOSED MEETING SCHEDULE 1. January 25 2. February 22 3. March 29 4. April 26 5. May 31 6. June 28 7. July 26 8. August 30 9. September 27 10. October 25 11. November 29 12. December 13
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution on Austin Energy Residential Rates WHEREAS, it is the purpose of the Joint Sustainability Committee to “advise the council on matters related to conservation and sustainability”; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 and the Austin Climate Equity plan, both adopted by Council, include goals for increasing energy efficiency in buildings in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution, improve resilience, and keep bills affordable; and WHEREAS, Austin has been a leader in energy efficiency since the 1970s; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy has the lowest average Residential electricity consumption of any large utility in ERCOT, which also allows it to have one of the lowest average Residential bills of any utility in ERCOT; and WHEREAS, proposed changes to Austin Energy’s Residential electric rate structure threaten further progress in energy efficiency by dramatically removing price signals to conserve; and WHEREAS, since low‐income utility customers generally use less energy than average customers, changing Austin’s progressive electric Residential rate structure that discourages consumption will make bills more burdensome to the lower and moderate income residents; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy has made a proposal in its current rate case to completely replace the current progressive rate structure with one that rewards more consumption; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s current $10 per month Customer Charge is on par with other Texas municipal utilities and the proposed $25 per month Customer Charge would be an outlier compared to other Texas municipal utilities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Sustainability Committee of the City of Austin advise City Council to retain Austin Energy’s current progressive rate structure and Customer Charge; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any rate increases are enacted, they be levied as a proportional increase to the utility’s current monthly base cost and tiers in its current rate structure.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution on Value of Solar Tariff October 26, 2022 WHEREAS, it is the purpose of the Joint Sustainability Committee to “advise the council on matters related to conservation and sustainability”; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 and the Austin Climate Equity plan, both adopted by Council, include goals for increasing the use of local customer‐sited solar energy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution, improve resilience, and keep bills affordable; and WHEREAS, the Value of Solar tariff is essential for facilitating the continued use of local customer‐site solar energy; and WHEREAS, it is important for the Value of Solar tariff to accurately compensate customers with on‐site solar energy for the energy they produce, and to provide a rate that isn’t too volatile, in order to attract investment in customer‐sited solar; and WHEREAS, if a portion of the Value of Solar fee is paid for by the Energy Efficiency fee instead of the Power Supply Adjustment fee, then some customers will be exempted from their fair share of the costs since they are exempted from the Energy Efficiency fee; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the Austin City Council do the following when adopting the updated Value of Solar tariff as part of Austin Energy’s base rate package: 1. Continue to collect all Value of Solar tariff costs through the Power Supply Adjustment fee; 2. Base the avoided costs of the Value of Solar rate on a rolling five‐year average; and 3. Direct Austin Energy to hire a qualified third party, with experience in calculating the value of local distributed solar energy, to: A) facilitate a collaborative stakeholder process and analysis to identify and incorporate avoided and incurred costs that may not be currently captured in the proposed methodology; and B) develop a standard offer program for community solar.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20220816-005 Resolution on Texas Gas Service Conservation Programs Whereas, the City of Austin has mandated that Texas Gas Service (TGS) conduct energy conservation programs since 1985; and Whereas, the Austin City Council adopted the Austin Climate Equity Plan on September 30, 2021, which strengthens the city’s climate goal to “net zero carbon by 2040” and includes a focus area of Sustainable Buildings with goal that by 2030, “All new buildings are net-zero carbon, emissions from existing buildings are reduced by 25%, and all natural gas-related emissions are reduced by 30%; and Whereas, the TGS energy conservation programs are also expected to help achieve the goals of the Climate Equity Plan; and Whereas, the Resource Management Commission is charged with providing feedback and recommendations regarding gas conservation efforts and to support the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan; and Whereas, the Resource Management Commission passed a resolution on June 20, 2017 that put a focus on reducing actual use of natural gas on site, calling for “at least 4.5% site natural gas savings” over 5 years, starting in 2018; and Whereas, incentives to install natural gas appliances in situations where there isn’t already an existing natural gas appliance, such as for new construction or replacing an electric appliance with a natural gas appliance, increase, instead of decrease, actual use of natural gas on site; and Whereas, Texas Gas has continued using a large portion of its energy conservation budget to provide incentives to install natural gas appliance where none previously existed, thus increasing use of on-site natural gas; Whereas, research by the Rocky Mountain Institute and other organizations shows that gas stoves are a large source of toxic air pollution that can make indoor air more polluted than outdoor air and that low- income households are most likely to suffer from this harmful pollution; and Whereas, incentives that increase the use of natural gas appliances are not compatible with the Austin Climate Equity Plan or public health; and Whereas, on January 24, 2022, the Resource Management Commission passed a resolution that recommended against CenterPoint Energy incentives for natural gas appliances in new construction, as well as incentives for central furnaces and water heaters; and Whereas, the TGS conservation program tariff that governs the program was adopted in December 2021 and is on a 3-year cycle, ending December of 2024. However, Austin City Council …
