JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES Sep 27, 2023 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at AE Headquarters. Acting Chair Diana Wheeler called the Board Meeting to order at 6:05 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Diana Wheeler, Alice Woods, Jon Salinas, Yure Suarez, Rodrigo Leal, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Chris Campbell Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Lane Becker, Heather Houser, Melissa Rothrock, Kaiba White, Charlotte Davis Board Members Absent: Kelsey Hitchingham, Haris Qureshi, Larry Franklin, Bertha Delgado City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer CALL TO ORDER 9. Approval of minutes from the July 26th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Motion by White, seconded by Suarez. Approved unanimously (10-0, Maxwell-Gaines and Campbell off dais) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Scott Johnson (air quality advocate) spoke on the importance of sustainable purchasing to encourage improved air quality Monica Guzman (Go Austin/Vamos Austin) spoke on the need for neighborhood circulators/shuttles in the Rundberg area of North Austin. 1. City of Austin Carbon Footprints, Phillip Duran, Office of Sustainability White: Great news that we got more funding for this department that needs even more Discussions of pros and cons of using 100-year Global Warming Potential measures vs funding for the large job it does. 20-year GWP Discussion on how to communicate consumption-based emissions 2. Climate Pollution Reduction Grants – Rohan Lilauwala, Office of Sustainability Unclear about whether GHG reductions include Scope 1-3 emissions 4. Updates from the Planning Commission – Alice Woods PC joint meeting with Council on Oct 26 to discuss changes to Land Development Code, voted by PC on Nov 14, Council on Dec 14. Impacts have positive sustainability impacts. Encourages JSC to pass resolution in support of the item. Wants to explore sustainability guide – can help provide objective source of environmental information. 5. Updates from Urban Transportation Commission – Diana Wheeler Encourages defending Project Connect, uses examples of other cities. Congress Ave urban design plan update 6. Updates from Water/Wastewater Commission – Chris Maxwell-Gaines Austin Water external review to improve organization effectiveness and resilience Water supply – Austin at stage 2 water restrictions since Aug 15 7. Updates from Resource Management Commission – Charlotte Davis RMC considering resolution around AE Green Choice – repurpose program towards dispatchable renewable energy and storage 8. Updates from Electric Utility Commission – Kaiba White …
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20230927-010 Date: September 27, 2023 Subject: Priorities for accelerating implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan Motioned By: Rodrigo Leal Seconded By: Christopher Campbell Recommendation The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that additional emphasis be placed on implementing the goals and strategies in the Austin Climate Equity Pan (ACEP), to give our community a chance to meet the goals of the plan. The committee recommends that the City Council, city management, and appropriate city departments start work immediately to implement the following list of strategies identified as priorities. Tracking and Reporting Recommendation: 1. The Office of Sustainability should publish a schedule of official updates to the Climate Equity Plan implementation dashboard, including metrics on the specific sub-strategies within the plan and more formalized equity accounting, to enable the public to see progress toward Austin’s climate equity goals. Recommend biannual or quarterly updates. All city departments should be instructed to provide timely updates with sufficient detail to enable these updates. [ACEP] Sustainable Buildings Recommendations: 2. City Council should (after appropriate stakeholder engagement by Austin Energy and Development Services) 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. [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 and 3] 3. City Council should 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. [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 and 3] 4. City Council should consider incorporating the use of the Passive House standard and/or Living Building Challenge standard into a density bonus program when the existing density bonus programs are consolidated. [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 and 3] 5. City Council should establish a policy to 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). [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 and 3] 6. Austin Energy should create a pilot program, possibly utilizing funds from Austin Energy’s Energy Efficiency Services fee or grants, to demonstrate the efficacy 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 …
Carbon Footprint Update September 2023 1 Austin’s Carbon Emissions 2 Carbon Accounting Protocols International leader on climate science For communities, like the Austin area For organizations like COA, CapMetro 3 Carbon Emission “Scopes” “BURN” “BUY” “BEYOND” Fuels you burn directly Transportation fuel Water and space heating fuel Electricity District Energy Indirect offsite emissions Everything else Production and delivery of goods and services Can occur anywhere in the world Hard to measure Traditional Carbon Footprint 4 Carbon Footprint Boundaries City of Austin Daily Operations Austin Extra-territorial Jurisdiction Municipal Carbon Footprint Community-wide Carbon Footprint 5 Austin’s Carbon Emissions 6 City of Austin Municipal Footprint Boundary Sources Electricity Natural Gas District Energy City Vehicles Refrigerants Carbon Offsets City of Austin Daily Operations GreenChoice Energy since 2012 Space and water heating City Hall, Central Library, Austin Convention Center Fleet, emergency aircraft, mileage reimbursements Estimate based on fleet and facility purchase orders Local tree plantings, Airport and Convention Center 7 City of Austin Municipal Footprint CITY OF AUSTIN Municipal Carbon Footprint Net emissions in 2022 44K Metric Tons CO₂e Electricity Natural Gas District Energy City Vehicles Refrigerants Offsets Link: COA Municipal Carbon Footprint Dashboard 8 City of Austin Municipal Footprint 2022 Net Emissions: 44k metric tons CO₂e 9 Local Community-wide Footprint Boundary Sources Electricity Natural Gas Transportation Refrigerants Industrial Waste Austin Energy Texas Gas Service, Atmos Energy, UT Power Plant Google EIE, Red Line and freight, in- boundary aviation Community-wide estimate based on population Semi-conductor manufacturing, other processes Austin Water wastewater, local landfills, flaring Austin Extra-territorial Jurisdiction If the emissions occur here, we try to capture them 10 Local Community-wide Footprint COMMUNITY-WIDE FOOTPRINT Carbon emission trends by source COVID-19 Link: Local Community-wide Carbon Footprint Dashboard 11 Local Community-wide Footprint Emissions Peaked in 2011 COMMUNITY-WIDE FOOTPRINT Progress towards net-zero by 2040 11.8 MT CO₂e in 2021 Natural Gas Electricity Transportation Industrial Refrigerants Waste 12 Local Community-wide Footprint 2021: 11.8 million metric tons CO₂e 13 Consumption-based Footprint “BURN” “BUY” “BEYOND” Fuels you burn directly Transportation fuel Water and space heating fuel Electricity District Energy Indirect offsite emissions Everything else Production and delivery of goods and services Can occur anywhere in the world Hard to measure Consumption-Based Footprint 14 Consumption-based Footprint What is a consumption-based emissions inventory? Our consumption-based emissions inventory (CBEI) is an estimate of the greenhouse gas emissions from the production and delivery of the goods and services used by the entire community. Sources like utilities …
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20230726-XXX Date: September 27, 2023 Subject: Priorities for accelerating implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that additional emphasis be placed on implementing the strategies in the Austin Climate Equity Pan, to give our community a chance to meet the goals of the plan. The committee recommends that the City Council, city management, and appropriate city departments start work immediately to implement the following list of strategies identified as priorities. Sustainable Buildings Recommendations: 1. City Council should (after appropriate stakeholder engagement by Austin Energy and Development Services) 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. [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 and 3] 2. City Council should 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. [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 & 3] 3. City Council should 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. [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 and 3] 4. City Council should establish a policy to 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). [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 and 3] 5. Austin Energy should create a pilot program, possibly utilizing funds from Austin Energy’s Energy Efficiency Services fee or grants, to demonstrate the efficacy 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. [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies 1 and 3] 6. Austin Energy should 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. Create incentives and/or provide a density bonus for Smart Housing to meet the requirements of the “standard” AEGB program. [Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategies …
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20230726-XXX Date: September 26, 2023September 25, 2023September 6, 2023 Subject: Priorities for implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan Motioned By: Seconded By: Description of Recommendations to Council Transportation Electrification Recommendations: 1. The Joint Sustainability Commission recommends that Austin Energy, in collaboration with CapMetro and City of Austin Department of Transportation and Public Works, define and then conduct an Electric Vehicles (EV) Community Needs Assessment with a focus on the Eastern Crescent, Rundberg (North Austin, North Lamar, Georgian Acres), and Dove Springs. Assessment should build on community engagement and feedback (such as leveraging an Ambassadors program and partnering with entities such as TxETRA) to address mobility challenges in these regions and consider other electric mobility options such as buses, shuttles, and carsharing. 2. The Joint Sustainability Commission recommends that Austin Energy will provide develop city-wide incentives for buying and leasing new and used EVs targeted only to those who qualify for the Austin Energy Customer Assistance Program (CAP). 3. The Joint Sustainability Commission recommends that Austin Energy will facilitate the createion of a coalition of organizations and a paid ambassadors program (e.g., Climate Ambassadors), to provide stipends to individuals and organizations that already have trust in the community to provide EV education. Education shouldwill encompass: 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. 2 Transportation Electrification Rationales: 1. Austin Energy identified this as a high equity impact strategy. The Austin Climate Equity Plan notes that conducting a community EV Community Needs Assessment will assist in identifying the intersections of mobility challenges, transportation electrification, and racial and economic justice. The assessment will inform an EV adoption growth plan that will be supported by enhanced communications efforts and incentives. [Transportation Electrification Goal 1, Strategy 1] 2. Even though there are federal and state-wide incentives that have made EVs more affordable and comparable to internal combustion engine vehicles, current incentives are not targeted to low-income communities. Also, EV adopters tend to belong to higher income population groups. Therefore, a city-wide incentive toward low-income communities can level the playing field, promote a just and equitable transition to EVs and accelerate EV adoption city-wide. This would be considered a high equity and high emission reduction impact recommendation. [Transportation Electrification Goal 1, Strategy 2] 3. A lack of education around available tax …
Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20230726-XXX Date: September 27, 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. The Office of Sustainability should publish a schedule of official updates to the Climate Equity Plan implementation dashboard, including metrics on the specific sub-strategies within the plan and more formalized equity accounting, to enable the public to see progress toward Austin’s climate equity goals. Recommend biannual or quarterly updates. All city departments should be instructed to provide timely updates with sufficient detail to enable these updates. 2. The disposal rate goal in the Austin Resource Recovery Zero Waste Plan should decline over time, rather than remain steady as indicated in the draft plan. 3. The near-term goals of The Austin Resource Recovery Zero Waste Plan should be redefined as a timeframe of 0-2 years to better align with the goals of the ACEP, instead of near-term being defined as 0-5 years as indicated in the draft plan. 4. Office of Sustainability should work with relevant City departments, potentially including Austin Public Health, to begin a stakeholder process to develop educational campaigns and incentives to promote healthy, low-carbon, protein-rich food choices within the retail space and non-retail programs (Mobile Markets, Healthy Food Pantries and pop-ups, etc.). This may include a local program similar to Double Up Food Bucks for protein-rich plant foods (such as beans, lentils and soy). Direct incentives to grocery stores and affordable restaurants (which could be in the form of coupons available to customers) should also be considered. The Office of Sustainability should pursue any available options for outside funding, including an EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, in addition to city funding. Rationale: 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 stated progress on climate goals. Data gaps, in particular on the Climate Equity Plan implementation dashboard, exist. Status of progress is only shown down to the “strategy” level, but each “strategy” in the plan actually includes multiple strategies. Reporting on the status of each sub-strategy is needed. Status of the actual implementation is sometimes out of date, and often doesn’t include any information about who is leading an initiative or who to contact to get more information or get involved. Additionally, …
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Office of Sustainability Approach - Sep 2023 Partners • Part of Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2021 • Funds targeted at states, MSAs, and tribal governments • Two phases • Planning • Implementation CPRG Planning Grants ● $1 million in non-competitive funding to the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for regional climate planning ● City of Austin (Sustainability) leading process ● AECOM supported grant application ● Outputs ○ Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) (due Mar 1, 2024) ○ Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) (due mid-2025) ○ Status Report (due mid-2027) 3 City of Austin Travis County CAPCOG City of Kyle Hays County CAMPO City of Buda Bastrop County Clean Air Force Partners City of San Marcos City of Lakeway City of Round Rock City of Pflugerville SPEER Movability Alliance Sierra Club Lone Star Clean Fuels 4 Planning Grant Application Timeline ● May: Applied for grant ● Jun-Aug: Worked with EPA ● Oct: Project kicks off ● Sep: Received notice of award, council approval, job postings up 5 PCAP Timeline 6 CPRG Implementation Funds - Opportunity ● $4.3 billion for general competition ● Expectation of 30 to 115 grants ranging between $2 million and $500 million ● Measures proposed must be in PCAP and focused on GHG reductions ● We can submit two applications: one individual, and one as lead of a coalition ● We can also participate in other coalitions ● Deadline is April 1, 2024 7 CPRG Implementation Funds - Goals 1. Implement ambitious measures that will achieve significant cumulative GHG reductions by 2030 and beyond 2. Pursue measures that will achieve substantial community benefits (such as reduction of criteria air pollutants (CAPs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)), particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities; 3. Complement other funding sources to maximize these GHG reductions and community benefits 4. Pursue innovative policies and programs that are replicable and can be “scaled up” across multiple jurisdictions. 8 CPRG Implementation Funds - Evaluation Criteria Overall Project Summary and Approach Impact of GHG Reduction Measures Environmental Results – Outputs, Outcomes, and Performance Measures Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities Job Quality Total Programmatic Capability and Past Performance Budget and Timely Expenditure of Grant Funds 45 60 30 35 5 30 45 250 9 Prep Work for Grants - Interdepartmental Meetings ● We’ve been having monthly conversations with 20+ departments ● Tracking opportunities ● Identifying projects and looking for opportunities for …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES August 23, 2023 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at AE Headquarters. Acting Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:10 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Charlotte Davis, Rodrigo Leal, Yure Suarez, Kaiba White, Haris Qureshi Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Stephanie Bazan, Jon Salinas, Diana Wheeler, Melissa, Rothrock, Heather Houser, Christopher Campbell, Anna Scott Board Members Absent: Larry Franklin, Alice Woods, Kelsey Hitchingham, Chris Maxwell- Gaines, Bertha Delgado Observing: None City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer 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. 5. Approval of minutes from the July 26th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Motion by Qureshi, seconded by Davis. Approved unanimously (12-0) 1. Office of Sustainability Budget - Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability Qureshi: Will you continue to fund Climate Ambassadors? Baumer: Yes with additional staff will find a way to continue to support ambassadors. White: Met with Rodney Gonzales and made the recommendations clear / simple / easily fundable. Question looming about Temp to Perm Admin or Engagement staff? Baumer: Will follow up. Scott: Do we know exactly why this additional funding was received? White: Great news that we got more funding for this department that needs even more funding for the large job it does. 2. EV charging infrastructure education and workforce development – Larry Franklin, Black Lives Veggies – Item Skipped 6. Discussion and Possible Recommendation to Council on composting and recycling services at multifamily residential properties. – Kaiba White - Kaiba White summary of presentation - Discussed Recommendation to Council - Davis: What about enforcement? - White: Code enforcement officers. - Rothrock: Will be a slow rollout, no enforcement for a year. - Davis: Education, are there additional requirements above and beyond signage / information to educate folks how to use it? - White: Signage and also materials given to residents - Suarez: Who ends up paying for this, and trash valet, will they compost? - Discussion: unsure, recommendation doesn’t address. - Going to council next month. Houser motion – Scott – 2nd. Vote = 12-0 adopted. 7. Discussion and Possible Recommendation to Council on Priority policy and program recommendations from JSC working groups on Austin …
REGULAR MEETING of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION Wednesday, September 27, 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 23, 2023. 1. Approve the minutes of the Building and Standards Commission regular meeting on August PUBLIC HEARINGS Returning Case(s): 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: Page 1 2. Case Number: CL 2023-087183 Property address: 4807 Duval Street / Owner: Lyle Leroy Davis Staff presenter: Alicia Tovar Staff recommendation: Repair single family residential structure 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: 3. Case Number: CL 2023-103040 Property address: 4606 Connelly Street / Owner: AVTA Investments Inc. Staff presenter: Khary Dumas Staff recommendation: Repair …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA SEPTEMBER 27th, 2023 REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, 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 (September 26th 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, September 26th, 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 Julie Glasser 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) Morgan Davis Rebecca Austen Teresa Ferguson Melissa Ortega Eliza Gordon Ivana Neri Muneeb "meebs" Aslam LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Charles Curry Melissa Taylor Jennifer Powell Elizabeth Meyer JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA SEPTEMBER 27th, 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 AUGUST 23rd, 2023. DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Discussion on the FY24 adopted Budget; report and soliciting feedback from the Joint Inclusion Budget Workshop hosted on September 9th, 2024; with discussion on the FY25 Budget timeline and upcoming FY25 Budget Town Halls. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion on the Human Rights Commission’s recommendation 20230828-008, with possible action on passing a recommendation …
(JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE) MEETING MINUTES (10.25.2023) JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, 2023 The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, 2023, at the PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC) - AUSTIN CITY HALL - BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM, 301 W. 2ND STREET in AUSTIN, TEXAS. Vice-Chair Commissioner RICHARD BONDI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING to order at 3:11pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi (Vice-Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Hanna Huang Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Melissa Ortega Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commission for Women: Julie Glasser LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT Staff in Attendance: Equity Office, Business Process Consultant – Jeremy Garza Equity Office, Community Services Program Coordinator – Alejandra Mireles 1 (JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE) MEETING MINUTES (10.25.2023) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on AUGUST 23rd, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of August 23rd, 2023, were approved on COMMISSIONER REBECCA AUSTEN’s motion, JENNIFER POWELL’s second on a 7 – 0 vote. (Absent: Serita Fontanesi, Amanda Afifi, and Julie Glasser) None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. STAFF BRIEFINGS None. DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Discussion on the FY24 adopted Budget; report and soliciting feedback from the Joint Inclusion Budget Workshop hosted on September 9th, 2024; with discussion on the FY25 Budget timeline and upcoming FY25 Budget Town Halls. Staff liaison JEREMY GARZA shared with the Commission about September 9th's JIC Budget Workshop and the dates for upcoming town halls. Commissioner RICHARD BONDI asked for some follow up on reports as to how the recommendations in the past have been used. Staff liaison JEREMY GARZA stated that he and staff liaison ALEJANDRA MIRELES will pass this information onto the Departments. The JIC could also make a recommendation for a request of these reports from the City of Austin Departments and possibly add this step/requirement to the Budget Process in the future. Commissioner RICHARD BONDI will discuss requesting reports with the Commission on Aging and then share with other commissions. Commissioner JENNIFER POWELL expressed to the Commission that she greatly appreciated and learned a lot at the event. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion on …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Number: Recommendation Austin 20230927-003 City Council to take action and make available to the public a comprehensive budget presentation that outlines the allocation of funds aimed address homelessness in Austin WHEREAS, homelessness numerous is a pressing and in Austin; individuals and families and multifaceted issue that impacts the lives of WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committe community where the rights and dignity of d to fostering all residents an inclusi and are protected; ve and compassionate WHEREAS, our elected and compassion for our unhoused population; and council members have demonstrated a deep understanding, concern, budget WHEREAS, a public dedicated to addressing and stakeholders; presentation will provide and facilitate clarity informed decisio on the financial n-making resources among local homelessness WHEREAS, by conducting expenditure, the Austin and demonstrate its commitment City Council will strengthen public governance. to equitable a public budget presentation on homelessness alleviation trust, foster community involvement, NOW, THEREFORE, Austin City Council to take action presentation with the following elements: BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Incl and make available calls upon the usion Committee to the public a comprehensive budget in Austin homelessness that outlines the allocation of funds aimed at addressing efforts of the budget • Budget Metric Plans: alleviation homelessness trends • Actual in funding priorities, Expenditures: over the previous decade, to address were utilized shelters, permanent other essential A comprehensive during breakdown the past 10 years, and providing A transparent a current year account and detailed along with a comprehensive highlighting estimate. of the actual breakdown of homelessness, support, of how these funds encompassing employment dimensions mental solutions, for allocation any changes various housing health funds expended or emergency and assistance, services. Metrics: by performance • Performance accompanied successful housing housing. An analysis of the impact metrics placements, employment of homelessness alleviation served, such as the number of individuals of existing outcomes, and status programs, city-owned • Lessons Plans: Learned and Future of challenges encountered during the An evaluation programs, implementation to overcome alleviation centers along with the strategies employed summer heat. as we experience historic these challenges. Ex: cooling of homelessness BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Council Austin. compassionate on its exceptional leaderships and tireless efforts Committee the Austin commends in laying out the foundation for a more City Date of Approval: September 27, 2023 Record of the vote: 7 -0 FOR: Vice Chair R. …
BOARD/COMMISSI ON RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Number: Recommendation : Inhumane 20230927-004 Abbott by Governor activities at the Texas boarder initiated of Operation Lone Star as Whereas people here and abroad; and the city of Austin is committed to equity and protection of basic human rights for all Whereas and hostile immigrants push-back, seeking in direct violation of their civil rights; and refuge at the Texas border have historically faced discriminatio n Whereas DPS troopers migrants and and even death; the discrimination and hostility who have seen first hand the "absolute officers, monstrou in multiple have recently by law enforcement and reported as witnessed of treatment injuries, bodily escalated, s, inhumane" resulting incidents of serious by Whereas violate federal the Texas Legislat ure has allocated nearly for border security efforts that laws, and are currently under investigation; $10 billion and Whereas human rights of persons Pass, TX; and Governor Abbott has, time and time again, enacted policies that directly violate the seeking refuge in the United States, most recently in Eagle documented Whereas Immigrant would not work and in some cases would make things advocates rights worse; have been warning Abbott that his deterrence policies be it resolved Therefore to condemn, Governor Abbott at the Texas border. in the strongest terms, that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the inhumane activities of Operation the Austin Lone Star as initiated City Council by Date of Approval: 27, 2023 September Record of the vote: 7-0 FOR: Vice Chair R. Bo ndi, H. Huang, R. Austen, M. Ortega, M. Davis, L. Vargas, J. Powell Absent: Chair A. Afifi, S. Fontanesi, J. Glasser Attest: _____________________________________________ R. Bondi, Vice Chair Attest: _____________________________________________ A. Mireles, Staff Liaison [Equity Office Community Services Program Coordinator]
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Number: Recommendation 20230927-005: Inhumane Prison Conditions WHEREAS, the historically and have created extreme life-threatening conditions; and summer temperatures in Texas are widely acknowledged WHEREAS, the absence of adequate incarcerated violation and constitution; people and correct of basic human rights air conditioning ional staff to intolerable a States under cruel and unusual punishment clause of the United in two-thirds of Texas prisons subjects and unsafe heat levels, which constitute WHEREAS, the lack of climate among incarcerated and health effects; people control health exacerbates risks, and staff, including heat exhaustion, causing heat-related heatstroke, and other adverse illnesses WHEREAS, such conditions contributed to severe rights staff shortages, and cost millions and within the past 10 years; have taken the lives of multiple lawsuits Texans, incarcerated in wrongful death and civil likely of dollars WHEREAS, the absence environment, correctional of climate ensions heightening t and facilities; control and compromising contributes to a hostile and volatile overall prison safety and security within the WHEREAS, it is our moral and ethical including compassion; those who and are incarcerated, and to ensure that they are treated with respect and duty to uphold the rights and dignity of all Texans, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Joint Inclu 1.Austin City Council is urgently inhumane need to address from the absence city limits, resulting is further advocacy City Council 2.Austin urged to collaborate for the "AC in Prisons" called conditions upon to recognize in correctional of air conditioning. that: sion Committee and acknowledge both within the pressing and outside facilities, the in Texas prisons, prioritizing facilities bill for the installation of air risk ofheat with the highest with the State of Texas on viable including solutions, conditioning systems deaths. related City Council 3.Austin along with human rights awareness around this pressing matter. is encouraged organizations, to collaborate legal experts, state and federal groups, with relevant and advocacy to help raise agencies, 4.Austin City Council reporting model that ensures is recommended on climate-related to establish conditions within to humane conditions. adherences its own facilities a model for effective monitoring and to serve as a state-wide 5.The Austin consultation parties to develop City Council with the Human Rights is called upon to engage Commission, and affected stakeholders, in constructive community for addressing extreme dialogue and heat conditions. comprehensive guidelines BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Council Austin. compassionate on its exceptional leaderships and …
JOINT INCLUSSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20230927-007: MEDICAL RESPITE, STREET MEDICINE, & APD Date: August 27, 2023 Subject: Medical Respite, Street Medicine, and the Austin Police Department (APD) Motioned by: Commissioner Jennifer Powell Seconded by: Commissioner Hannah Huang WHEREAS, homelessness causes health problems and limits healing and recuperation, especially after an acute illness; WHEREAS, Central Health is providing health care to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness through their Medical Respite program; WHEREAS, Medical Respite program gives individuals experiencing homelessness a place to rest and recover from an acute illness; WHEREAS, currently there are 7 male beds and 4 female beds at A New Entry, as well as 10-15 male beds at the ARCH; WHEREAS, medical respite beds for individuals from acute care facilities prompt healing and recuperation, and is an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness and readmissions; WHEREAS, individuals experiencing homelessness encounter barriers to healthcare which reduces life expectancy; WHEREAS, the CommUnity Care Street Medicine Team helps individuals experiencing homelessness access necessary healthcare services; WHEREAS, the CommUnity Care Street Medicine Team is the only street medical team in Travis County in the field providing primary medical care to unsheltered houseless people; WHEREAS, the CommUnity Care Street Medicine Team often find themselves sharing a common geographical area with law enforcement; 1 WHEREAS, the CommUnity Care Street Medicine Team have witnessed the negative impacts of involuntary displacements caused by the sweeps and the negative effects on the health of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness; WHEREAS, individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness are not allowed to retrieve items during law enforcement sweeps and are involuntary displaced; WHEREAS, the sweeps cause disruption of healthcare and social network, loss of contact with outreach, increased incarceration, negative impacts on trust, and loss of medication, documents, phones, and belongings; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends the Austin City Council to allocate funds and explore all available resources in order to accommodate more beds with an emphasis on increasing beds for women and beds that accommodate pets; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends Austin City Council to direct Austin Police Department work and coordinate directly with the Street Medicine Team to establish a protocol so that they can complete their health checks, case work and visits if their arrival intersects with APD sweep activities. Vote Roll Call Vote: 7 – 0. Against:None. Abstain:None. Commissioner Julie Glasser For: Commissioner Richard Bondi (Vice …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY-OF-LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20230822-006: MAINTAIN THE INDEPENDENT AUTONOMY OF THE EQUITY OFFICE, CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE, SMALL & MINORITY BUSINESS RESOURCES, OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCE OFFICE Date: August 27, 2023 Subject: Maintain the independent autonomy of the Equity Office, Civil Rights Office, Small & Minority Business Resources, Office of Sustainability, and Resilience Office Motioned by: Commissioner Hanna Huang Seconded by: Commissioner Leonor Vargas WHEREAS, in 2015, an analysis from the University of Toronto’s Martin Prosperity Institute ranked the City of Austin as the most economically segregated metro area in North America and a place where wealthy, college-educated professionals and less-educated, blue-collar workers are least likely to share the same neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, in response to this study, the City Council passed Resolution No. 20150507-027 in 2017, directing the City Manager to evaluate the impact of existing city policies and practices on racial equity and develop an Equity Assessment Tool to be used across city departments during different processes such as budgets, studies, programs, policies and such; and WHEREAS, the Equity Office was created as an autonomous City entity in 2016 to focus on advancing equity in all aspects of city operations after over 150 community members dedicated more than 900 hours to designing the equity assessment tool and a definition of equity that could be operationalized across different city departments; and WHEREAS, since 2016, the Equity Office has served as a model for other Equity Offices in different municipalities across the country and has created partnerships with many national organizations, including the Government Alliance on Race & Equity, Race Forward, Living Cities, National League of Cities; and WHEREAS, as an autonomous government body, the Equity Office has implemented the Undoing Racism training, where they have trained staff from all city departments, including former Mayor Adler and former City Manager Spencer Cronk, and more than 200 organizations; and 1 WHEREAS, the Equity Office serves as an advisor to all quality of life commissions, ensuring there is equity in public processes, organizing the inclusion of boards & commissions in the budget process, and facilitating open conversations and community engagement; and WHEREAS, more than $1 million has been distributed through the Equity Office community mini-grant program that has been a catalyst for grassroots organizations working directly with residents who are directly impacted by immigration policies, homelessness, public safety, and housing, among others; and WHEREAS, the Equity Office is currently leading …
1. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 27, 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 Nuñez Edward Espinoza William Ross Pumfrey Vacancy – District 2 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 Scott Cobb against Nina Rinaldi, raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-1 (City Boards), Section 2-1-24 (Conflict of Interest and Recusal). PRELIMINARY HEARING 2. A complaint filed by Scott Cobb against Nina Rinaldi, raising claimed violations of City Code Chapter 2-1 (City Boards), Section 2-1-24 (Conflict of Interest and Recusal). DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Consideration, discussion, and potential action regarding: 3. Adopt the regular meeting calendar for 2024. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4. Approve the minutes of the Ethics Review Commission Regular Meeting on August 23, 2023. 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 …
