COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20200612-02C: Street Impact Fee Recommendations WHEREAS, the City of Austin is proposing to develop and implement a Street Impact Fee Program; and, WHEREAS, the City approved an updated city-wide transportation plan in 2019, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP), that expands the vision of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan into actionable mobility-related goals and objectives to guide Austin’s near- and long-term transportation investments; and, WHEREAS, the foremost goals of the ASMP are improving safety on our transportation network and significantly changing the City’s work commute mode split to be less reliant on single-occupancy vehicle trips; and, WHEREAS, the Central Texas region is anticipated to double its population and add two million residents in the next 20 years; and, WHEREAS, a Street Impact Fee Program has been advertised to impart a one-time charge to new developments to contribute to capital improvement projects and roadway expansions as designated in the ASMP; and, WHEREAS, the City hired a consultant to conduct a Street Impact Fee Study in August 2016, assist with technical analyses, and determine maximum impact fees; and, WHEREAS, a separate and unrelated study was conducted using connected vehicle trip data to determine average vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for each Street Impact Fee Zone, and it was determined that the discrepancy between the lowest and highest generating VMT zones was over five miles; and, WHEREAS, VMT is a direct measurement of the impact on a City’s roadway network; and, WHEREAS, the Street Impact Fee Study did not take into account or has not presented information related to more significant transportation and mobility metrics, such as VMT per trip or existing mode split, that would achieve the mode split and equity goals of the ASMP; and, WHEREAS, the City has yet to develop specific methodology for the incorporation of impact fees into the greater development assessment process as it relates to transportation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that, in order to meet the goals listed in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, set an example for best practices in transportation, and to provide a fair and accurate assessment of transportation network impacts as they relate to Street Impact Fees and development applications, the City should: 1 1. Conduct an audit and analysis of current development assessment process in tandem with the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan mode split and transportation goals for the …
Street Impact Fee Briefing: Study Results & Draft Policy Recommendation Urban Transportation Commission June 12, 2020 Austin Transportation Department Overview • Work to Date & Prior Actions • Maximum Impact Fee & Draft Policy Recommendation • Revenue Projections • Community Feedback • Next Steps 2 What are Street Impact Fees? • One-time fee for new development • Study determines the costs of street infrastructure to meet the needs of new development • Governed by Chapter 395 of the Texas Local Government Code 3 How do we calculate the costs of needed street infrastructure to serve new growth? • Project new growth for the next 10 years • Establish Service Areas within which a maximum impact fee is determined • Develop Land Use Assumptions and corresponding growth projections within each Service Area • Project corresponding roadway capacity needs (Roadway Capacity Plan) to accommodate that growth within each Service Area 4 Why Street Impact Fees? • Determining a method for growth to pay for necessary infrastructure in a way that is: • Equitable – the same type and intensity development pays equal fee within a Service Area • Predictable – can determine the fee without doing an intensive study • Transparent – a worksheet to calculate the fee would be publicly available • Flexible – fees collected can be spent within a Service Area on any projects identified in the study within 10 years of being collected • Ultimate purpose is to develop a fair and reasonable fee development should pay for vehicle capacity improvements 5 Street Impact Fee Study 2016 2017 2018 2019 Data Collection Service Areas and Land Use Assumptions Roadway Capacity Plan Development (in coordination with ASMP) Phase 1 Phase 2 Establish Advisory Committee Mobility Committee Council comments on Service Areas, Land Use Assumptions 6 2020 Policy and Ordinance Review Phase 3 Council action on Study Assumptions Council action on Policy Prior Meetings & Actions Council Actions: • June 9, 2016: ATD authorized to procure consultant to develop Street Impact Fees (SIF) • October 19, 2017: City Council Public Hearing on Land Use Assumptions • April 11, 2019: Austin Strategic Mobility Plan adopted, calling for implementation of SIF policy and program to fund roadway capacity improvements necessitated by growth • August 8, 2019: City Council Public Hearing on SIF study assumptions Council Committee, Boards & Commissions: • • June 21, 2017: Council Mobility Committee July 25, 2017: Impact Fee …
Going the Extra Mile: Using Connected Vehicle Data to Study Commute Patterns in Relation to Impact Fees Aisling O’Reilly Transportation Planner WGI (512) 669-5560 aisling.oreilly@wginc.com 2021 East 5th Street, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702 Dan Hennessey, PE, TE, PTOE Director of Transportation Services, Texas WGI 2021 East 5th Street, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702 (512) 669-5560 dan.hennessey@wginc.com Jackson Archer Transportation Planner WGI 2021 East 5th Street, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702 (512) 669-5560 dan.hennessey@wginc.com Submitted for 2020 TexITE Technical Paper Award: Abstract Word Count: 249 Word Count (including Abstract): 7,021 words (4,921 words and 10 figures/tables) ABSTRACT The City of Austin is considering the adoption of a street impact fee program, which would change the manner in which developers take responsibility for paying for their portion of growth on the City’s transportation network. In developing this program, the City split Austin into seventeen zones by which to determine the maximum impact fee that can be charged per state law. Using a day’s worth of vehicle trip data from connected vehicle data company Wejo, each zone’s vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data were assessed to determine the average length of trips during the morning commute period, evening commute period, and overall daily trip lengths. The purpose for these analyses was to determine if certain areas of the city showed drastically different VMT patterns than others and what that impact might be on street infrastructure. We found that specific zones characterized by low amounts of employment and housing, typically on the periphery of the city, consistently generated the highest average VMT, whereas central zones had the lowest average VMT. This ability to evaluate real-world data on travel patterns allows the City of Austin and other jurisdictions to consider VMT as a criterion for evaluating development, including the imposition of street impact fees. When developers choose to build in high impact zones (high average VMT), it may be appropriate for them to pay a higher proportion towards growth mitigation than low impact zones (low average VMT), depending on the jurisdiction’s priorities and the type of growth they hope to incentivize. 2 BACKGROUND Growth within a community can place a significant burden on its infrastructure, depending on the planning processes that have preceded the growth. One way that a jurisdiction can make that growth pay for itself is via impact fees. The foundation of impact fees is the idea that developers should share a portion …
Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) Meeting Minutes Special Called Meeting 12 June 2020 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a meeting on June 12, 2020 via videoconference. Commission Members in Attendance: Mario Champion – Chair Kelly Davis Daniel Hennessey – Vice Chair Alex Reyna Allie Runas Susan Somers Cynthia Weatherby Commission Members Absent: Daniel Alvarado Samuel Franco Michael Wilfley CALL TO ORDER Champion called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MAY 15, 2020 REGULAR MEETING The May 15, 2020 minutes were approved on a 6-0 vote with Alvarado, Franco and Wilfley absent and Davis not yet present. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Urban Trails Plan and Sidewalk/ADA Transition Plan updates – Briefing Katie Wettick and John Eastman, Public Works, gave a presentation and addressed commissioner questions. B. FY2020-21 Proposed Budgets for Austin Transportation and Public Works Departments – Discussion and Possible Action Rob Spillar and Peggy MacCallum, Austin Transportation and Richard Mendoza and Kristi Fenton, Public Works, gave a presentation and addressed commissioner questions. No action taken. Action C. Street Impact Fee Study results and draft policy recommendation – Discussion and Possible Item postponed by to July due to time constraints. 3. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS No updates given due to time constraints. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS A. Austin Community Climate Plan update (Staff; August) ADJOURNMENT Champion adjourned the meeting at 4:31 p.m. without objection.
Special Meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) June 12, 2020 MCPD to be held Friday June 12, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Thursday June 11, 2020 by 12:00pm noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 12, 2020 Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512)-974-3256 or david.ondich@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Thursday June 11, 2020. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to david.ondich@austintexas.gov by Noon on Thursday June 11, 2020. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES June 12, 2020 1:00p.m.-2:30p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Robin Orlowski Danny Saenz Emily Shryock Deborah Trejo AGENDA Jonathan Franks, Chair Jose Levy, Vice-chair Gene Brooks Taurean Burt Joey Gidseg Diane Kearns-Osterweil CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consider approval of the minutes from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities May 29, 2020 meeting. 2A. Discussion of possible changes to the Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefits programs – Commissioner Brooks and Chair Franks; 2B. Discussion and possible action to write a letter regarding access to HEB Grocery Stores during the Covid19 Pandemic – Chair Franks and Full Committee; 2C. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution opposing police violence against people with disabilities – Commissioners Orlowski and Trejo; 2D. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution regarding the provision of sufficient financial assistance for Austin renters with disabilities – Commissioner Orlowski …
DRAFT A RESOLUTION OPPOSING POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Because ableism is discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities. Ableism also includes violence perpetrated against people with disabilities. AND a 2019 report published by the University of Texas Law School Human Rights Clinic had already found and documented that the Austin Police Department shot people with mental health issues at a rate twice as high compared against similarly sized police departments across America despite all cadets receiving Americans with Disabilities Act training. AND only certain sworn in Austin Police Department officers had mental health training. But the dispatchers were instead sending whoever was available to calls involving people with disabilities specifically needing mental health care resulting in those often fatal situations for the disability community. AND despite having proactively invited the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to an introductory community breakfast, the Office of Police Oversight staff had not successfully addressed either the contents of that law school report or the ultimate impact of violence on the disability community. AND The first Federal Crimes Against Persons with Disabilities Report was released in 2009 and the City of Austin, despite being home to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Texas School for the Deaf among other institutions devoted to servicing people with disabilities has instead downplayed or ignored various forms of discrimination faced by people with disabilities. AND Texas state hate crimes law already lists disability as a specifically recognized category according to reports which are issued by the Department of Public Safety to categorize people covered under hate crimes statue. The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities therefore calls for ableism to be elevated as a civil and human rights issue, thoroughly addressed, and fully resolved with proper and full attention by the Office of Police Monitor, the Austin Police Department and the City of Austin.
A RESOLUTION RE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND COVID‐19 Whereas people with disabilities have always been a large part of the people of Austin’s history and present And people with disabilities are especially vulnerable to COVID‐19 because of our preexisting medical conditions. And social distancing CAN help reduce and stop the spread of COVID 19 And the Centers for Disease Control website explicitly does not recommend social distancing include things like blocking off access to disability accessible parking, blocking off non‐emergency exit door access, or other erroneous and ridiculous tactics which local entrepreneurs have falsely claimed helps to prevent COVID‐19. AND a large number of local cases and deaths are occurring inside nursing homes and assisted living centers which are populated by people with disabilities. People without disabilities do not go to live there. AND a large number of homeless individuals have one or more pre‐existing conditions but cannot effectively shelter in place because they have no permanent home due to the city’s high cost of living and a shelter’s close living quarters can quickly spread covid‐19. AND testing sites are still only ‘drive by’ making the reliable access of COVD‐19 status difficult for many in the disability community who cannot legal drive specifically because of our disabilities such as epilepsy, blindness and other pre‐existing conditions. AND Capital Metro had attempted to make ALL pass users including those with disabilities board at the back of the bus even though there was no ramp to safely board/exit the vehicle and that portion of the vehicle could not lower . The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities therefore recommends that the local pandemic prevention efforts must thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities.
A resolution re sufficient financial assistance for Austin renters with disabilities Because Austin Texas was already the most expensive city in Texas. The average Austin rent is $1,439 a month and the average income is only $63,717 annually. AND the City of Austin is prohibited under existing state statue from implementing rent control which would limit the amount of rent increases once the annual rent has ended. AND the Houston Texas City Council comparatively allocated $15 million in rental assistance for people impacted by the corona virus pandemic, the San Antonio City Council comparatively allocated $25 million for people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and the Dallas Texas City Council comparatively allocated $13.7 million in rental assistance for rent aid of people impacted by the corronavurus pandemic. AND this pandemic merely compounded the already strained ability of Austin renters with disabilities to obtain and effectively retain safe affordable and accessible housing. A permanent residence for people with disabilities is key to building and maintain community, to successfully transitioning out of high school, to helping either obtain or retain a job. AND massive employment furloughs, underemployment and unemployment directly related of the corona virus have made it difficult if not impossible for people with disabilities to then successfully pay rent in full The unemployment rate for a person without disabilities is 14.3% and the unemployment rate for a person with disabilities is 18.9% according to statistics released from the United States Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy AND several pre‐existing apartment corporations located inside the City of Austin prohibit the property office handling third party checks for tenant rent aid and also contain also no realistic consideration of a mass pandemic in a lease agreement or other mass disaster which then forces most residents living on the apartment property to be unable to successfully pay rent in full including people with disabilities and/or seniors who are especially vulnerable to both the coronavirus’s immediate effects and long‐term consequences The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities therefore calls the existing $1.2 million rental assistance provided from the City of Austin inadequate in effectively and properly addressing both immediate and long‐term effects of the coronavirus as it specifically impacts City of Austin residents with disabilities and requests that allocated rental assistance efforts match other Texas cities.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Recommendation Number: 20200612‐2D: The provision of sufficient financial assistance for Austin renters with disabilities WHEREAS, Austin Texas is one of the most expensive cities in Texas. The average Austin rent is $1,439 a month and the average income is only $63,717 annually; and WHEREAS, this pandemic merely compounded the already strained ability of Austin renters with disabilities to obtain and effectively retain safe affordable and accessible housing. A permanent residence for people with disabilities is key to building and maintaining community, to successfully transitioning out of high school, to helping either obtain or retain a job; and WHEREAS, Massive employment furloughs, underemployment and unemployment directly related to the corona virus have made it difficult if not impossible for people with disabilities to then successfully pay rent in full. The unemployment rate for a person without disabilities is 14.3% and the unemployment rate for a person with disabilities is 18.9% according to statistics released from the United States Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin is prohibited under existing state statutes from implementing rent control which would limit the amount of rent increases once the annual rent has ended; and WHEREAS, The Houston City Council comparatively allocated $15 million in rental assistance for people impacted by the corona virus pandemic, the San Antonio City Council comparatively allocated $25 million for people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and the Dallas City Council comparatively allocated $13.7 million in rental assistance for rent to aid of people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic; and WHEREAS, Several pre‐existing apartment corporations located inside the City of Austin prohibit the property office from handling third party checks for tenant rent aid and contain no realistic consideration of a mass pandemic in a lease agreement or other mass disaster, which then forces most residents living on the apartment property to be unable to successfully pay rent in full, including people with disabilities and/or seniors who are especially vulnerable to both the coronavirus’s immediate effects and long‐term consequences; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities calls the existing $1.2 million of rental assistance provided from the City of Austin inadequate in effectively and properly addressing both immediate and long‐term effects of the coronavirus as it specifically impacts City of Austin residents with disabilities and recommends and supports City Council …
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2020 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (12 June 2020) The City of Austin, Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular meeting via video conference on June 12, 2020 with a live broadcast on ATXN. CALL TO ORDER: With quorum present Chair Jonathan Franks called the June 12, 2020 meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to order at 1:01pm Committee Members in Attendance:, Chair Jonathan Franks, Vice Chair Jose Levy Commissioners: Gene Brooks, Joey Gidseg, Robin Orlowski, Emily Shryock, Deborah Trejo. Committee Members Absent: Commissioners: Taurean Burt, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Danny Saenz Staff in Attendance: David Ondich, ADA Program Administrator and Lee Nguyen ADA Program Human Resources (HR) Specialist. Chair Jonathan Franks moved item 3A, A City staff presentation up on the agenda. Please refer to item 3A for description. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Deborah Trejo made a motion to approve the minutes from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities May 29, 2020 Special Called Meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Jose Levy. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: No citizen communication that took place during the June 12, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS: 2A. Discussion of possible changes to the Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefits programs – Commissioner Brooks and Full Committee. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/63247 and view item 2A. 2B. Discussion and possible action to write a letter regarding access to HEB Grocery Stores during the Covid19 Pandemic – Chair Franks and Full Committee. Chair Franks discussed follow up with HEB on his concerns, no additional action was taken by the Committee. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/63247 and view item 2B 2C. Discussion possible action to approve a resolution opposing police violence against people with disabilities – Commissioners Orlowski and Trejo; Amendment: Commissioner Deborah Trejo made a motion to amend the resolution with edits to language, punctuation and format. Commissioners Joey Gidseg and Vice Chair Jose Levy made friendly amendments that Commissioner Trejo accepted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joey Gidseg. The motion to amend was approved unanimously by all. Motion: Commissioner Robin Orlowski made a motion to approve the amended resolution on opposing police violence against people with disabilities. …
Special Meeting of The Construction Advisory Committee June 12th, 2020 The Construction Advisory Committee to be held June 12th, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Thursday, June 11th, by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Construction Advisory Committee Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-2778 or Jessica.Bild@austintexas.govno later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Jessica.Bild@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Construction Advisory Committee June 12, 2020 10:00-11:30am VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Mayoral – Jolsna Thomas, Committee Member District 1 – Calvin Williams, Committee Member District 2 – Juan Pedro Munoz, Committee Member District 3 – Bob Batlan, Vice Chair District 4 – Lyn Nance-Hendricks, Chair District 5 – Candelario Vazquez, Committee Member District 6 – Vacant District 7 – Bobby Smith, Committee Member District 8 – Sean Forkner, Committee Member District 9 – Anna Bocchini, Committee Member District 10 – Carson Fisk, Committee Member AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. May 13, 2020 2. DIRECTORS REPORT 3. OLD BUSINESS 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Ongoing updates on Public Works Projects/initiatives a. Discussion of potential date changes and rescheduling of Work Plan for 2020 a. Discussion and Possible Action on Contractor Evaluation Program b. Discussion and Possible Action on Expedited Permitting Process 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Discussion and Possible Action on Corridor Plan Update b. Discussion and Possible Action on Prevailing …
Special Meeting of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission June 12, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission to be held June 12, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Noon June 11. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 12, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7676 or jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov no later than noon June 11. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION June 12, 2020, 3 PM – 4:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt CALL TO ORDER David Alexander, Vice Chair Claudia Yanez Dave Floyd Sumit DasGupta Nicole Thompson AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 29, 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Election of Officers b. City of Austin Website Status c. Workplan Retreat Planning 3. STAFF AND COMMUNITY BRIEFINGS (A member of the public may not address a board at a meeting on an item posted as a briefing) a. Presentation on Community Wi-Fi by AISD, CapMetro, and City of Austin 4. COMMISSION UPDATES (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom Policy Working Group b. Knowledge, Information, and Data Stewardship Working Group c. Technology, Infrastructure, and Innovation Working Group FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed …
Community Wi-Fi Briefing Austin Independent School District/ CapMetro/ City of Austin Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission June 12, 2020 1 Today’s Briefing The Joint Sustainability Committee adopted a Resolution in Spring 2020 to: ○ Identify possible public-private partnerships and funding to expand access to the Internet for low-income communities and communities of color, which have disproportionately low-levels of access. The city should identify possible public-private partnerships and funding to either create free city-wide Wi-Fi, or free connection for income-qualified residents. 2 Today’s Briefing ● Updates to provide Wi-Fi Internet Access to the Austin Community ○ Austin Independent School District ■ Kevin Schwartz: Chief Technology Officer ○ Capital Metro ■ Melissa Ortiz: Community Engagement Coordinator ■ Jane Schroter: Vice President & CIO ● Opportunities, and City of Austin Role ○ City of Austin ■ John Speirs: Program Manager ● Next Steps 3 Austin ISD ● CURRENT CONTEXT ○ Equipment ■ ■ ■ ■ >45,000 of 81,000 computers (Chromebooks and iPads) deployed PK-12. Full 1:1 Fall 2020 6,000 of 8,000 Internet hotspots through grants and matching grants 12,000 to 17,000 estimated students will still have an unmet need for Internet 130 WiFi-enabled school buses deployed during Summer Mon-Thurs until mid-afternoon Summer School underway and Fall are planned to rely on partial to full online learning ○ ○ Health, employment, education, news, transportation, access to food, etc. are all heavily impacted by this digital divide ● PLANS & OPPORTUNITIES ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Data indicate again that the need is in “The Crescent” and requires a hybrid solution Private LTE Point to multi-point Wireless San Antonio accelerating plans after modeling on GAATN Carrier LTE service (Grant and purchased) Timing is paramount 4 Cap Metro ● 9 locations across service area 4 Housing Authority communities 3 Foundation Communities sites 1 East Austin College Prep 1 Del Valle ISD site Districts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9 ● May 8th - Summer 2020 ● WiFi Reach ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 150-200 feet 25-30 users, bandwidth is shared by all users Strategically parked to reach as many units 5 Opportunities, and City of Austin Role ● The Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission could develop a Recommendation to City Council to further explore the short-term and long-term opportunities presented today. ● *A reminder, GAATN has an active Board of Directors who are responsible for setting policies and making financial decisions …
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc MINUTES Special Called Meeting Wednesday – June 12, 2020 – 3:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup material associated with this agenda. All ATXN (City Channel 6) programming is cablecast on Spectrum, Grande Communications, and Google Fiber on their cable channel 6, on AT&T U‐ Verse Channel 99 and webcast online. Over 20 meetings per month, including this commission meeting, are available on demand online, typically within a few hours of the cablecast. Schedules and video can be found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sophie Gairo ‐ Mayor Steve Adler Nehemiah Pitts III ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Claudia Yanez ‐ Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, District 2 Malcolm Yeatts ‐ Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria, District 3 David Alexander ‐ Council Member Gregorio Casar, District 4 Dave Floyd ‐ Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5 Irfan Syed ‐ Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6 Vacant ‐ Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7 Michelle Reinhardt ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Nicole Thompson – Council Member Kathie Tovo, District 9 Sumit DasGupta ‐ Council Member Alison Alter, District 10 Commission Members Present Sophie Gairo Nehemiah Pitts III Malcolm Yeatts David Alexander Dave Floyd Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt Sumit DasGupta Unexcused Absence Claudia Yanez Nicole Thompson CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 3:07 PM CITIZEN 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. Zenobia Joseph spoke recommending 1) Zoom as a platform for web meetings, 2) to post the instructions for citizen communication prominently on the main website (rather than within a PDF), and 3) to re-instate the calendar showing when all commission meetings are scheduled. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 29, 2020 Motion to approve the April 8th, 2020 meeting minutes made by Commissioner Yeatts, seconded by Commissioner DasGupta, passed on a vote of 8‐0. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Election of Officers Motion to elect Chair Pitts to a second term as Chair of the Commission made by Commissioner Yeatts, seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 7-0- 1 with Chair Pitts abstaining. Motion to elect Vice Chair Alexander to a second term as Vice Chair of the Commission made by Chair …
Special Meeting of the Bond Oversight Commission June 12, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Bond Oversight Commission to be held June 12, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications. Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 11, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 12, 2020 Bond Oversight Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at: Megan Bell (512) 974-2532 or megan.bell@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to megan.bell@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOND OVERSIGHT COMMISSION JUNE 12, 2020, 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Santiago Rodriguez, Chair Sumit DasGupta, Vice Chair Sarah Cook Brennan Griffin John Mcnabb Wolfgang Niedert CALL TO ORDER Claire O’Neal Jay Sands Reedy Spigner III Roy Waley CJ Zhao AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approval of the minutes from the February 19, 2020 Bond Oversight Commission Meeting. 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Staff update on the FY 2021 General Obligation Bonds Sale. 3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Discussion and possible action on the establishment of a working group to review General Obligation Bonds program data and draft the FY 2020 Annual Report. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language …
Treasury Department Update on September General Obligation Bond Sale Schedule Bond Oversight Commission June 12, 2020 Presented By: Bryan Rivera Deputy Treasurer Forecast Agenda – April 18 General Obligation Debt • Property Tax Rate has 2 components Tax Rate Operating & Maintenance (O&M) (General Fund) Debt (Debt Service Fund) • Debt Service tax rate set each year at level needed to fund principal and interest payments on debt issued and pledged with property tax • Pays both existing debt service and debt service associated with upcoming General Obligation bond sale 2 Forecast Agenda – April 18 General Obligation (GO) Debt • GO Debt = Public Improvement Bonds, Certificates of Obligation, and Contractual Obligations – $1.5 billion in outstanding General Obligation debt currently – Issued once per year prior to setting the tax rate – Backed by property (ad valorem) taxes and “full faith and credit” of the City Types of GO Debt Purpose Voter Approval City Term Public Improvement Bonds (PIBs) Capital Improvement projects and capital assets Yes 20 years Certificates of Obligation (COs) Real property: land, buildings, right of way, construction of a public work No 20 years Contractual Obligations (KOs) Personal property: equipment, machinery, vehicles, information technology No 7 years 3 Forecast Agenda – April 18 Steps to Sell or Issue Debt Spring 2019 September 2019 for FY2019-20 Spring/Summer 2020 Develop CIP Plan Annual Capital Budget Appropriations Reimbursement Resolutions Develop Bond Sale Schedule Notice of Intention to Issue Certificates Preliminary Official Statement Council Action on Bond Sales Bond Sales and Closing • Work on upcoming bond sale began Spring 2019 • Debt to be sold in upcoming bond sale supports projects and appropriations (authority to spend) previously approved by City Council • Use of Reimbursement Resolution allows projects to begin now and get funded later • Consistent with IRS regulations • Consistent with Financial Policies regarding cash management • Results in lower interest costs 4 Forecast Agenda – April 18 Upcoming GO Bond Sale Total Planned September Sale: $221.575 M Public Improvement Bonds (PIBs) - $58.600 M • 2016 Bond Program (Transportation): $6.595 M • 2018 Bond Program: $52.005 M • Affordable Housing - $27.735 M • • Health – $0.550 M • Flood Mitigation/Open Space/Water Quality - $12.955 M Transportation - $10.765 M Certificates of Obligation (COs) - $135.800 M • Planning and Development Center- $122.500 M • New Fire Stations - $13.300 M Contractual Obligations (KOs) …
BOND OVERSIGHT COMMISSION JUNE 12, 2020 10:00AM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING BOND OVERSIGHT COMMISSION MINUTES The Bond Oversight Commission convened in a special meeting on June 12, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications. Chair Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 10:10 AM Board Members in Attendance: Santiago Rodriguez, Chair Sumit DasGupta, Vice-Chair Sarah Cook Wolfgang Niedert Claire O’Neal Jay Sands Tina Van Wie, Financial Service Staff in Attendance: Megan Bell, Financial Services Bryan Rivera, Financial Services CALL TO ORDER None. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes for the regular meeting of February 19, 2020 were approved as posted with motion by Commissioner Niedert, Commissioner Cook second and all votes in favor. 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS (Discussion) a. Bryan Rivera, Financial Services, gave an update on 2020 bonds sales, including information on general obligation debt, steps to sell or issue debt, and the upcoming general obligation bond sale. After this presentation, Bryan answered questions from the Commissioners. 4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Chair Rodriguez introduced discussion about forming a working group within the Bond Oversight Commission. Commissioner Cook moved to develop a working group with membership to include Chair Rodriguez, Vice-Chair DasGupta, Commissioner Cook, Commissioner O’Neal, and Commissioner Niedert. Commissioner O’Neal seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commission. a. Discussion was brought forth about the 2020 annual report for the Bond Oversight b. Commissioners requested to shift the order of staff updates, including moving updates on the Public Safety and Mobility programs to Summer 2020 and rescheduling some of the BOND OVERSIGHT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 12, 2020 staff updates that were missed due to cancelled meetings, including updates from the Parks and Recreation Department and the Watershed Protection Department. Chair Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 10:54 AM without objection. 6. ADJOURN 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 Megan Bell, Financial Services Department, at 512-974-2532, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Bond Oversight Commission, please contact Megan Bell at 512-974-2532. 2
Special Meeting of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board June 12, 2020 8:00 am Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board to be held June 12, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 11th at NOON). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 12th Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Samantha.Night@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Thursday June 11th. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Samantha.Night@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH FROM 8:00 TO 9:30 AM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Karen Magid, Chair Andrea Abel Ellen Sweets Roman Gonzalez Emily Nicola Kara Prior CALL TO ORDER Kara Prior, Vice Chair Felipe Camacho Kacey Hanson Sharon Mays Joi Chevalier Ryan Rosshirt AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY MEETING 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Office of Sustainability, update on food access response to COVID-19 b. New staff introductions – Carol Fraser (Economic Development Department), Sari Albornoz (Watershed Protection), Jennifer Steverson (PARD) 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Board Infrastructure & Protocol i. Review Board Members’ meetings with City and County Officials b. Board vacancies and appointments 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Board Annual Report and responsibilities b. Community Climate Plan – food working group recommendations c. Working Group Briefings and Recommendation i. Build Opportunities for Food Entrepreneurs ii. Support Farms & Farmers iii. Food and Climate iv. Healthy Food Access to All Communities i. Discuss and take possible action on recommendations v. COVID-19 Food System Response i. Discuss and …
Equity Tool Our Climate Equity Commitment Racial equity is the condition when race no longer predicts a person’s quality of life outcomes in our community. The City of Austin Climate Plan Revision Process recognizes that racial inequity is wrong and solving climate change is impossible without racial equity. In Austin, this means our Climate Plan Revision Process will only succeed if we center racial equity in the goals, strategies, and plans developed through the Revision Process. We realize that City of Austin infrastructure, policies, and investment have historically and systemically neglected and harmed low-income communities and communities of color. The City acknowledges these injustices and the need to right these wrongs by changing its institutions and creating a culture of equity. We recognize: ● Low-income communities and communities of color are the most impacted by extreme weather, and climate change will worsen existing harms and challenges. ● Low-income communities and communities of color must be prioritized to receive the disproportionate benefits of the transition to a pollution-free society. ● If we design and implement programs to serve low- income communities and communities of color, we will positively impact all residents in the Austin area. Because of this, we have created the following themes and associated Equity Tool with Screening Questions to ensure our climate plan will increase racial equity: Health, Affordability, Accessibility, Just Transition, Community Capacity, Cultural Preservation & Accountability. Objectives Health - Strategy improves health (physical and mental) outcomes for low-income communities and communities of color. The strategy upholds the fundamental human right to clean, healthy and adequate air, water, land, food, education, transportation, safety, and housing. Affordability - Strategy lowers and stabilizes costs related to basic living needs (housing, food, utilities, healthcare, transportation, etc.) for low-income communities and communities of color. Accessibility - Strategy increases access to jobs, housing, transportation, funding, education, healthy foods, and a clean environment for low-income communities and communities of color. Strategy removes barriers through city infrastructure, policy, and investments. Just Transition - Strategy ensures economic justice so that low-income communities and communities of color are prioritized in the benefits of the strategy and are protected from any potential negative consequences. Community Capacity- Strategy elevates the voices of low-income communities and communities of color by developing and strengthening the skills, abilities, and resources that a community needs to survive, adapt, and thrive. Cultural Preservation - Strategy deliberately and respectfully honors cultural relevance and history …
Food Working Group Goals and Strategies Consumption Advisory Group Austin Community Climate Plan 2020 Revision Background City of Austin – Equity Statement Goals of this Revision Mission Statement To protect and improve Austin’s quality of life now and for future generations by leading efforts to achieve: 1. Net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 2. A healthy & just local food system 3. A climate resilient and adaptive city Process overview and schedule What’s new in the revision Last Time Refresh ● Eye on the prize: community-wide net- zero carbon by 2050 ● Alignment with other plans ● Co-created with staff and community leadership ● Equity focus ● Smaller number of high-impact actions ● Refined topic areas ● New consumption-based emissions lens ● Formal integration of natural systems and carbon sequestration ● Shared responsibility to reach beyond City-controlled activities Process overview and schedule Structure Large Institutions Working Group Steering Committee Transportation Electrification AG Transportation and Land Use AG Sustainable Buildings AG Consumption Natural Systems AG AG Community Climate Ambassadors Going Forward The Next 5 Months July - REVIEWS August - Boards and Commissions Review and Public Comment September - Finalization and take to Council for Approval June - Full 1st Draft of the Plan May 2020 Jun 2020 Jul 2020 Aug 2020 Sep 2020 ID Goals & Strategies Draft Plan Plan Finalization Consumption: Food Advisory Groups Goal Areas for all 5 Sections of the Plan Sustainable Buildings • Building Materials • Energy • Water • Refrigerants Transportation and Land Use • • • • • • Increase Transit Ridership Increase People Powered Transit Right to Stay / Return Affordable Housing Transit Oriented Development Access to Open Space Transportation Electrification Consumption of Goods • • • Vehicle Adoption Charging Infrastructure Emerging Issues • • • Food Consumer Goods Institutional Purchasing Natural Systems • Natural Lands • Private Property • Working Lands • Public Urban Landscapes Advisory Groups Food Working Group Members Lisa Barden • • Molly Costigan • Jennifer Cregar • Ricardo Guerrero • Christine Jovanovic • Kat Lopez • Madison Matteus • • • Ona McGovern • Samantha Night • Amanda Rohlich Karen Magid Cavan Merski Goal GOAL 1 (Pro-climate, Pro-Health Food System) By 2030, ensure 100% of Austinites, with a focus on the food insecure, can access a pro-climate, pro-health food system built for equity and resilience. A pro-climate, pro-health food system is community-driven, prioritizes regenerative agriculture, supports dietary and health …
Please fill out this template for your group topic’s proposed goal and strategies. Completion deadline: May 29 Proposed goal (Example: Achieve X by 2030): Please make the goal as specific as possible, and worded in active voice. It must also be measurable and achievable by 2030. Keep it to 1-2 sentences. By 2030, ensure 100% of Austinites, with a focus on the food insecure, can access a pro-climate, pro-health food system built for equity and resilience. A pro-climate, pro-health food system is community-driven, prioritizes regenerative agriculture, supports dietary and health agency, prefers plant-based over animal-based foods, and minimizes food waste. Community-driven means located in, initiated, led, and evaluated by low-income communities and communities of color, with explicit mechanisms for soliciting community input, developing within-community leaders, and sharing outcomes within and outside the community. Goal translated into GHG impact: (Example: X metric tons CO2e by 2030) TBD with Cavan’s assistance Advisory Group: Consumption Topic Area: Food How will this goal be measured or quantified? The goal needs to be quantifiable, but doesn’t have to be carbon-quantifiable. Metrics for goal and each strategy: Goal measure(s): ● Rate of food insecurity in Austin ● TBD measures of availability and access ● Organic food waste in landfill ● Consumption measures of plant-based foods Strategy 1 measure(s): Strategy 2 measure(s): Strategy 3 measure(s): Strategy 4 measure(s): ● Dollar amount of institutional purchasing of pro-health, pro-climate foods ● Dollar amount and allocation of funding, reported by community and race/ethnicity of fund recipients ● Number of food solutions funded ● Availability and accessibility of pro-climate, pro-health food (measure TBD) ● Proportion of pro-climate, pro-health food choices available at food retail outlets ● Number of programs/tools developed and implemented ● Number of people accessing programs/tools Strategy 5 measure(s): ● Amount of organic food waste as measured by waste management organizations Proposed strategies to meet goal: Please list 3-5 actionable strategies that are achievable by 2025. These need to be as concise as possible, and worded in active voice. 1-3 sentences max per strategy. Strategy 1: Apply a purchasing framework, support supply-chain infrastructure, and build a regional food system network to bolster institutional and corporate food procurement of pro-climate, pro-health options. Strategy 2: Increase the availability and accessibility of pro-climate and pro-health foods through community-driven food solutions by providing and equitably allocating funding sufficient to reach the goal of full access for all. Strategy 3: Implement community-driven programs to …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: 20200612-4.c.v.i COVID-19 Food System Response Recommendation The COVID-19 pandemic, the related shutdown, and the human toll experienced disproportionately by Black and Indigenous communities, and People of Color (BIPOC) expose the legacy and ongoing entrenchment of racial injustice in our food and economic systems. Austin faces a historical and pivotal moment as we uncover the stark contrasts related to resources and the racialized structures that form what we now call our “food system.” The contrasts begin with the creation of a system of food production on land first taken from Indigenous peoples and later taken from Black farmers. A racialized system has created White wealth through policies, practices, laws and policing, and granted unequal access to capital and profit in the food system through the exploitation, enslavement and death, primarily of Black people. On that same spectrum, throughout our history and today, Latinx workers and immigrants of color who have always performed “essential” food system work are underpaid, exposed to dangerous and unstable working conditions, harassment and economic instability. BIPOC workers in the food system are also disproportionately unable to afford good food. Locally, clear contrasts revealed through COVID-19 include a woefully under-resourced and undeveloped food system in terms of planning, resiliency and coordination. Food workers have either been laid-off and then return to back-of-house low-paid jobs in restaurants and food businesses with insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), or they have continued to work throughout the pandemic on farms and in grocery stores, risking exposure without paid sick leave, while corporations have prospered from the heightened demand for food-related staples. Statewide, primarily Latinx meatpacking workers experienced a large outbreak of coronavirus infection with little immediate testing or support. Infection, hospitalization, and death rates from COVID-19 in our region have also skewed disproportionately Latinx. This is not an accident, but at least partly is a result of our racialized food system that produces inequitable and devastating impacts for the BIPOC in our region. As significant funding shifts are considered in local budgets, we must invest sufficient resources to understand, dismantle and remake our food system into one that is economically and racially just and puts the workers and small businesses who have been negatively impacted at the center of the process throughout. This includes food access as a right (the end of food insecurity). This is not easy to do. It requires …
MEETING MINUTES June 12, 2020 Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board The Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board (ATCFPB) convened on Friday, June 12, 2020 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Board Members in Attendance: Andrea Abel, Felipe Camacho, Joi Chevalier, Kacey Hanson, Kara Prior (Vice-Chair), Karen Magid (Chair), Ryan Rosshirt, Sharon Mays, Ellen Sweets (joined at 8:27 am) Absent board members: Emily De Maria Staff in Attendance: Edwin Marty, Sam Night, Amanda Rohlich CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Karen Magid called the meeting to order at 8:07 am CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL a. Errol Schweizer – speaking to Black Lives Matter and the overfunding of APD and underfunding of food and community services. APD most deadly force in Texas. Recommends 1) Support for RISE fund, housing, Austin Public Health 2) Support for the COVID-19 working group of the food policy board recommendations, 3) b. Paula McDermott -- 42% of ACC students were experiencing food insecurity pre-pandemic. Importance of student meals which drops off after graduations from high school. Calling attention to the racialized food system. Volunteers can’t do this work anymore; the City needs to invest in food systems. c. Mokshika Sharma – program director of Keep Austin Together, an effort to provide prepared meals with private and public (County) funds. By end of June, will have provided over 50,000 meals. This service was developed as a response to the pandemic but highlighted the need for this service to continue. d. Jodi Lane – adopt critical needs of immediate support but also look to fund long term support with Regional Food System Planning and a Food System support office. e. Farah Rivera – CEO of Serafina. Speaking to the permitting requirement for charitable feeding organization. Asking board to help remove requirements. f. Max Elliott – Speaking to the racialized food system that has been highlighted in the recent pandemic. Need for a Department of Food Justice to address the issues of the food system. We need big investments to create a truly just food system. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 11th MEETING Board Member Joi Chevalier motioned to approve the meeting minutes from May 11, 2020, with Board Sharon Mays seconding the motion. Passed on a 8-0 vote. 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 …
Regular Meeting of the Ethics Review Commission Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 3:00 – 4:30 PM Ethics Review Commission meeting to be held June 10, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance no later than Tuesday, JUNE 9, 2020 by Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 10, 2020 ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION Meeting, persons must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512.974.2915 and sue.palmer@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak; late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to sue.palmer@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live 1 ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION JUNE 10, 2020 AT 3:00 P.M. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Vice-Chair Luis Soberon Secretary Kenneth “Tray” Gober Betsy Greenberg Raafia Lari J. Michael Ohueri CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chair Mary Kahle Debra Danburg Robin Lerner Donna Beth McCormick Nathan Ryan Pedro A. Villalobos AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, all citizen communications will occur at the beginning of the meeting. Speakers are limited to a maximum time limit of three minutes per speaker only on items listed below. 1. NEW BUSINESS Discussion and possible action regarding the following: a. 2020 Austin city council candidate forums. b. Election of Commission officers. c. Working group status reports and/or recommendations. i. Working group one (Commissioners Greenberg, Ohueri, and Lerner) on the following subjects: - Commission sanctions including effectiveness, past cases, and recommendations. - Potential amendments to City Code, Chapter 2-7 (Ethics and Financial Disclosure). ii. Working group two …
§ 2-2-63 - QUALIFYING CANDIDATES. To become a qualifying candidate eligible to receive public funds from the Austin Fair Campaign Finance Fund, a candidate for mayor or city council must sign a campaign contract, and agree to participate in specified debates arranged by the City Ethics Review Commission. Source: Ord. 20080925-079. § 2-2-65 - OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRACT. (A) A candidate who signs a campaign contract must participate in a series of candidate forums, whether or not the candidate qualifies for funds. (B) The Ethics Review Commission shall produce not fewer than three forums for each contested race as follows: (1) one forum must air on public access television; and (2) other forums may be produced and made available to the public by radio, broadcast, publication on the Internet, or other means approved by the commission. (C) The City shall make recordings of audio or video forums available to the public at all branches of the City library. (D) The City may purchase advertising promoting the candidate forums. (E) The Ethics Review Commission shall establish equitable guidelines to coordinate and produce the candidate forums. Source: Ord. 20080925-079.
Ethics Review Commission Meeting Backup June 10, 2020 Meeting, Item 1(a) The Ethics Review Commission’s duties include scheduling and overseeing the candidate forums in City elections provided for in Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance). City Code § 2-7-30(A)(7). Following is the list of Scheduled Candidate Forums for the 2020 City Council Elections: District 2: Dove Springs Recreation Center Wednesday, September 16th at 6pm District 4: Gus Garcia Recreation Center Wednesday, September 23rd at 6pm District 6: Hope Presbyterian Church Wednesday, September 30th at 6pm District 7: Northwest Recreation Center Wednesday, October 7th at 6pm. District 10: Jewish Community Center Tuesday, September 29th at 6pm A candidate who signs a campaign contract must participate in a series of three candidate forums to be eligible to receive public funds from the Austin Fair Campaign Finance Fund. City Code §§ 2-2-63 and 2-2-65(A). One forum must air on public access television. City Code § 2-2- 65 (B)(1). The above list indicates the proposed schedule for candidate forums for each council election. City staff recommends that the Ethics Review Commission approve the above schedule.
ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 12, 2020 The Ethics Review Commission (“Commission”) convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, One Texas Center, Room 325, 505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas. Chair Mary Kahle called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Commissioners in attendance: Chair Mary Kahle, Vice-Chair Luis Soberon, Secretary Tray Gober, and Commissioners Debra Danburg, Betsy Greenberg, Raafia Lari, Donna Beth McCormick, Nathan Ryan, and Pedro Villalobos. Commissioner Robin Lerner arrived while the Commission was in executive session. Commissioner J. Michael Ohueri was absent. City Staff in Attendance: Lynn Carter, Commission Executive Liaison & Assistant City Attorney, and Sue Palmer, Staff Liaison, Law Department. Chair Kahle announced prior to executive session that she was recusing herself from items 1a, 1b, 2, and 3. GENERAL CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Each person who signed up to speak prior to the meeting being called to order and who designated this item on which to speak, or who did not designate an agenda item on which to speak will be allowed three minutes to speak. One speaker, Carlos León, spoke during General Citizen Communication. 1. 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 specifically listed on this agenda (Private Consultation with Attorney-Section 551.071). The Commission went into executive session to discuss legal issues related to: a. Three complaints filed by Mark Littlefield against Unconventional Austin SPAC, which complaints allege violation of City Code Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance) Section 2-2-33 (Disclosure Statement Required). b. A complaint filed by Mark Littlefield against Unconventional Austin SPAC, which complaint alleges violation of City Code Chapter 2-2 (Campaign) Section 2-2-32 (Reporting of Direct Campaign Expenditures). 1 The Commission went into executive session at 6:40 p.m.; the open meeting resumed at 7:10 p.m. Chair Kahle recused herself from participation on the executive session items. 2. PRELIMINARY HEARING Discussion and possible action regarding the following: Three complaints filed by Robert Mark Littlefield against Unconventional Austin SPAC, which complaints allege violation of City Code Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance) Section 2-2-33 (Disclosure Statement Required). Chair Kahle recused herself from participation on this item. Complainant Mark Littlefield appeared; Fred Lewis appeared on behalf of Respondent Unconventional Austin SPAC. Following the presentations of the parties during the preliminary hearing, Vice-Chair Soberon made a motion to find …
ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 The Ethics Review Commission (“Commission”) convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, Austin, Texas via Videoconference. Chair Mary Kahle called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. Commissioners in attendance: Chair Mary Kahle, Vice-Chair Luis Soberon, Secretary Kenneth “Tray” Gober, and Commissioners Debra Danburg, Betsy Greenberg, Raafia Lari, Robin Lerner, Donna Beth McCormick, J. Michael Ohueri, and Nathan Ryan. Commissioner Pedro A. Villalobos was absent. City Staff in Attendance: Lynn Carter, Commission Executive Liaison & Assistant City Attorney, Bailey Hamer, Paralegal, Law Department and Tara Olson, Marketing and Communication Consultant, Communications and Public Information Office. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Each person who signed up to speak prior to the meeting being called to order and who designated this item on which to speak, or who did not designate an agenda item on which to speak will be allowed three minutes to speak. One speaker, Carlos León, spoke during Citizen Communication. 1. NEW BUSINESS Discussion and possible action regarding the following: (a) 2020 Austin city council candidate forums. Tara Olson, Communications and Public Information Office, and Commissioner McCormick reported to the Commission on the planned 2020 City Council election candidate forums. Chair Kahle made a motion that the 2020 candidate forum schedule posted as backup for this meeting be approved by the Commission and that the Commission also approve holding the candidate forums virtually if necessitated by limitations on social gatherings, in the Mayor’s emergency orders (or Travis County Judge’s emergency orders whichever applies to the venue); by recommendation of the Public Health Director, Dr. Escott; or by lack of availability of a location for the event as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic or other public health or safety emergency. Commissioner Greenberg made a motion to amend Chair Kahle’s motion to make attending the candidate forums virtually an option regardless of whether an in- person candidate forum takes place. The motion to amend was seconded by Commissioner Danburg and passed on a unanimous vote of 10-0 of the members in 1 attendance. Voting in favor: Chair Kahle, Vice-Chair Soberon, Secretary Gober, and Commissioners Danburg, Greenberg, Lari, Lerner, McCormick, Ohueri, and Ryan. Commissioner Villalobos was absent. Commissioner Ryan then seconded Chair Kahle’s motion as amended which motion was to approve the 2020 candidate forum schedule posted as backup for this meeting and that the Commission also approve holding the candidate forums …
Regular Meeting of the Early Childhood Council WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2020 8:30 - 9:30 AM Early Childhood Council to be held 6/10/2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, June 9, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 10, 2020, Early Childhood Council Meeting, residents must: • Email both the board liaison at Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov or call Cindy Gamez at 512-972-6216, no later than noon on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020, 8:30 A.M. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from 5/6/2020 special called meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Child Care Task Force- Cathy McHorse and Anna Lisa Conlin b. Coronavirus-related supports for child care (including, but not limited to, Child Care Relief Fund, Housing and Urban Development funds, support for home child care providers)- Cindy Gamez c. Policy and funding options for supporting child care over the long-term- Policy Work d. Success by 6 Coalition policy advocacy work- Cathy McHorse Group members 5. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Child care facility work 6. RELATED GROUP UPDATES (As needed) a. Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children b. Child Care Regulation c. Workforce Solutions Capital Area 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 …
Special Meeting of the Commission on Seniors June 10th, 2020 Commission on Seniors to be held June 10th, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 9th, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the JUNE 10TH COMMISSION ON SENIORS Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-972-5019 or Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live COMMISSION ON SENIORS JUNE 10TH, 2020 AT 1:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Janee Briesemeister, Chair Peter Varteressian, Vice-Chair Erica Garcia-Pittman Martin Kareithi Jacqueline Angel Patricia Bordie Karen Grampp Adam Hauser Natalie Cagle Billy Jackson Fred Lugo Emily De Maria Nicola AGENDA CALL TO ORDER There may be discussion and action on any of the following items: Amy Temperley Sally Van Sickle Diana Spain I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE COMMISSION ON SENIORS APRIL 29TH, 2020 SEPCIAL CALLED MEETING II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. NEW BUSINESS IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Presentation: Foundation Communities: Access to Health Services for Seniors, Sofia Barbato, Director of Supportive Services B. 2020-2021 Officer Elections, Commissioner Briesemeister C. COVID-19 Response Updates and Discussion, Commissioner Lugo A. Update and review Commission Work Plan – Standing Item B. Updates and review from Working Groups – Standing Item i. Age Friendly Action Plan Implementation Working Group ii. iii. Transportation, Housing and Outdoor Spaces Working Group Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, …
COMMISSION ON SENIOR REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH, 2020 The Commission on Seniors convened a Regular Meeting via Videoconferencing. Board Members in Attendance: Chair, Janee Briesemeister, Vice Chair, Peter Varteressian, Adam Hauser, Amy Temperley, Billy Jackson, Diana Spain, Emily De Maria Nicola, Erica Garcia-Pittman, Fred Lugo, Jacqueline Angel, Karen Grampp, Martin Kareithi, Natalie Cagle, Patricia Bordie, and Sally Van Sickle. Board Members not in Attendance: None Staff in Attendance: Tabitha Taylor, Age Friendly Plan Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health and Halana Kaleel, Public Health Educator II, Austin Public Health Presenters: Sofia Barbato, Director of Supportive Services, Foundation Communities and Commissioner Lugo, Travis County. Chair, Janee Briesemeister called the Board Meeting to order at 1:04pm. The Commission introduced themselves. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE COMMISSION ON SENIORS APRIL 29TH, 2020 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING A. The minutes for the Special Called Meeting of April 29th were approved on Vice Chair Varteressian motion, Commissioner Cagle second on a 14-0 vote. Commissioner Kareithi was absent. B. Commissioner Kareithi entered the dais. II. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. There will be a community conversation regarding people of color and COVID-19. The conversation will be recorded and then shared with the Commissioners. B. Commissioner Temperley gave update on the Social Isolation Working Group Technology Survey through the Aging Council. Aging is Cool will be providing in home services through COA PARD. C. Commissioner Kareithi gave update regarding access to food during COVID-19 response from CapMetro including Good Apple sign up. D. Commissioner Nicola gave update on food access during COVID-19 response including what 250 organizations are doing through Austin/Travis County to provide food. This includes Mobile Pantries, Drive Thru Services, large mass distributions, partnership with AISD, and ACC Highland Mall Location. III. NEW BUSINESS E. Commissioner Bordie gave update regarding access to food, incontinence supplies, social isolation, technology support, in home services, and dental services being supported by Area Agency on Aging. They will be holding their Striking a Balance- Annual Caregiver Conference this summer. F. Commissioner Hauser gave update on Meals on Wheels and how they are providing shelf stable meals during the pandemic. They have seen an influx in requests for meals. A. Presentation: Foundation Communities: Access to Health Services for Seniors, Sofia Barbato, Director of Supportive Services i. Sofia Barbato presented on Access to Health Services for Seniors. ii. Foundation Communities receives grant to provide sustainable …
Special Meeting of the Planning Commission June 9, 2020 Planning Commission to be held June 9, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers, including applicants and representatives, must register in advance (Day before the scheduled meeting, June 8, 2020 by Noon). To speak remotely at the June 9, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting, residents must: Call or preferably email the board liaison at 512-974-6508 and or andrew.rivera@austintexas.gov (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: 1. The speaker name. 2. Item number(s) they wish to speak on. 3. Whether they are for/against/neutral. 4. Physical address. 5. Telephone number. Must be the number that will be used to call-in. Please note, individuals may not sign up someone else. Previous registration will not automatically carry over. • Once a request to register to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call with additional information regarding the call in process. • Handouts or other information must be emailed to andrew.rivera@austintexas.gov by 1:00 PM Tuesday, June 9, 2020. This information will be provided to Commission members in advance of the meeting. • Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Postponement requests are due at 5PM Monday, June 8, 2020. Please submit to case manager and Andrew Rivera Order of Meeting Determination of Quorum / Meeting Called to Order Reading of Proposed Consent Agenda *Vote and Disposal of Consent Agenda **Determination of Discussion Postponement Items Other Business Adjournment Discussion Cases (Including public comment, staff and applicant / representative presentations) * The consent agenda may be acted upon by one vote without separate discussion. Speakers are allowed to provide testimony on an item proposed for the consent agenda. At the discretion of the Commission the item may remain on the consent agenda. ** Discussion postponement consists of public comment by 2 individuals for the postponement and 2 individuals against the postponement at 2 minutes each per speaker. Testimony should not delve into the merits of the case. The granting of a postponement must be approved by affirmative vote of the Commission. Speaker Applicant / Agent Speakers For Speakers For Primary Speaker Against Speakers Against Speakers Against Speaker Testimony Time Allocation Number Up to 6 Unlimited 1 1 Up to 6 Unlimited Time Allocated 6 min. (Additional 3 min. rebuttal) 3 …
