Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Friday Christmas New Years MLK Day President's Day 11/11/2021 11/25/2021 11/26/2021 12/25/2021 12/31/2021 1/17/2022 2/21/2022 Intake Time Intake Day of Week First Business Day Outcome Time Outcome Day of Week Day Allowed to be Released Calendar Days Early Business Days in Shelter Outcome Type Animal Type Sex upon Outcome Age upon Outcome Breed Animal ID A850290 A850298 A850345 Intake Condition Normal Normal Normal 1/21/22 2:18 PM 1/21/22 3:40 PM 1/22/22 10:34 AM Friday Friday Saturday Saturday Saturday Monday 1/25/2022 16:56 1/25/2022 17:00 1/26/2022 12:38 Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday A850362 Normal 1/22/22 2:42 PM Saturday Monday 1/26/2022 16:50 Wednesday Thursday 3/12/22 7:52 PM Saturday Monday 3/16/2022 17:34 Wednesday Thursday A851359 A851360 A851361 A851362 A851387 A851397 A851776 A852102 A852134 A852162 A852454 A852489 A852490 A852539 A850049 A852950 A852957 A852958 A847910 A852090 A853083 A853093 A853426 A853770 A853844 A854003 A854204 A854272 A854340 A854427 A854428 A854429 A854431 A854767 A854770 A854789 A846654 A855357 A855717 A855721 A855746 A855396 A844553 A856104 A856105 A856106 A856107 A856108 A856116 A856137 A856183 A856185 A856590 A856719 A810130 A857668 A857688 A857690 Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal 2/10/22 5:40 PM 2/10/22 5:40 PM 2/10/22 5:40 PM 2/10/22 5:40 PM 2/11/22 10:44 AM 2/11/22 11:55 AM 2/18/22 1:43 PM 2/25/22 10:05 AM 2/25/22 2:06 PM 2/26/22 10:34 AM 3/3/22 11:08 AM 3/3/22 5:10 PM 3/3/22 5:10 PM 3/4/22 4:56 PM 3/8/22 1:12 PM 3/10/22 11:30 AM 3/10/22 11:59 AM 3/10/22 11:59 AM 3/10/22 3:38 PM 3/11/22 5:10 PM 3/12/22 2:17 PM 3/18/22 2:10 PM 3/24/22 11:03 AM 3/25/22 2:00 PM 3/28/22 4:43 PM 3/31/22 12:57 PM 4/1/22 12:40 PM 4/2/22 12:33 PM 4/4/22 10:39 AM 4/4/22 10:39 AM 4/4/22 10:39 AM 4/4/22 10:39 AM 4/8/22 2:06 PM 4/8/22 3:25 PM 4/8/22 6:56 PM 4/14/22 2:28 PM 4/16/22 2:47 PM 4/22/22 12:02 PM 4/22/22 12:39 PM 4/22/22 2:36 PM 4/25/22 5:10 PM 4/26/22 12:28 PM 4/28/22 11:56 AM 4/28/22 11:56 AM 4/28/22 11:56 AM 4/28/22 11:56 AM 4/28/22 11:56 AM 4/28/22 2:16 PM 4/28/22 6:29 PM 4/29/22 1:36 PM 4/29/22 1:47 PM 5/5/22 10:23 AM 5/6/22 5:31 PM 5/14/22 6:53 PM 5/19/22 11:34 AM 5/19/22 1:32 PM 5/19/22 1:55 …
Animal ID Intake Condition Intake Intake Day of Week Next Business Day Outcome Outcome Day of Week Day Allowed to be Released Days Early Outcome Type Animal Type Sex upon Outcome Age upon Outcome Breed A793899 A846185 Normal Normal 11/9/21 10:51 AM 11/10/21 6:51 PM Wednesday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 11/9/2021 18:40 11/14/2021 16:33 Tuesday Sunday A839827 Normal 12/27/21 10:47 AM Monday Tuesday 12/31/2021 11:04 Friday A848698 A848953 A848954 Normal Normal Normal 12/27/21 11:06 AM 12/30/21 2:17 PM 12/30/21 2:17 PM Monday Thursday Thursday Tuesday Friday Friday 12/28/2021 16:07 1/3/2022 15:38 1/3/2022 16:39 Tuesday Monday Monday A849240 Normal 1/5/22 5:52 PM Wednesday Thursday 1/7/2022 17:52 Friday Saturday Monday Jan 1st* Jan 1st* Jan 4th* Jan 4th* Sunday A850087 Normal 1/18/22 12:35 PM Tuesday Wednesday 1/18/2022 14:04 Tuesday Saturday 4 1 1 3 1 1 2 4 Adoption Adoption Adoption Adoption Adoption Adoption Adoption Rto-Adopt Cat Other Dog Cat Cat Cat Dog Cat Neutered Male Intact Male Spayed Female Neutered Male Neutered Male Neutered Male Spayed Female Intact Male 2 years 8 months 7 months 2 years 2 months 2 months 4 years 2 years Domestic Shorthair Mix Guinea Pig Labrador Retriever/American Pit Bull Terrier Domestic Shorthair Domestic Shorthair Mix Domestic Shorthair Mix Dachshund Mix Domestic Longhair Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Friday Christmas New Years MLK Day President's Day 11/11/2021 11/25/2021 11/26/2021 12/25/2021 12/31/2021 1/17/2022 2/21/2022 *12/31/2021 is listed as a city holiday. If the shelter was open on that day, these days are all moved up one day Bolded indicates that there was an Austin City Holiday while the animal was in shelter.
At the last Animal Advisory Commission meeting, there were concerns brought up that the Hold Period Ordinance was being violated due to the recent closures on Sundays. Animal Services staff reviewed the ordinance and confirmed the error – even though the shelter was open for reclaim on Sunday, the ordinance clearly defines business days to include adoption hours: “Each day the health authority's animal shelter is open to the public for reclamation and adoption is a business day.” Once the issue was brought up in the Commission meeting and the ordinance language was confirmed, all staff were immediately notified and adjustments to “available” dates have been made moving forward. Now, any animal impounded from Thursday through Saturday has their “available” date adjusted to add one more day for potential reclaim. As has been standard practice, when there is an upcoming holiday, then staff will add an additional day to the hold period. With this development, staff investigated the potential impact this had on adoptions and animals transferred to rescues. Staff reviewed all the animals that went to transport or adoption immediately after stray hold and did not find any incident where the owner surfaced after the animal was adopted or transported. ASO also did not, and has not, received a complaint or concern of a lost pet that was adopted or transferred before an owner was able to reclaim their animal. The Austin Animal Center is committed to compliance with the ordinance. Therefore, going forward, there will be an designated employee assigned to making and monitoring software changes made to the operations of Austin Animal Center. Many thanks to the Commission for bringing this to our attention. Impound # Animal ID Animal Type Primary Breed OS Reason Intake Condition Outcome Subtype Outcome Condition Days in Shelter K22-056092 K22-058493 K22-058495 K22-058496 K22-054075 K22-054190 K22-054200 K22-054413 K22-054414 K22-054824 K22-055039 K22-055154 K22-055371 K22-055377 K22-055442 K22-055669 K22-055691 K22-055692 K22-055704 K22-055968 K22-056048 K22-056081 K22-056091 K22-056276 K22-056336 K22-056340 K22-056389 K22-056390 K22-056594 K22-056620 K22-056687 K22-056903 K22-057307 K22-057383 K22-057384 K22-057651 K22-058474 K22-059275 K22-059802 K22-059850 K22-060606 K22-060668 K22-060669 K22-055720 K22-059733 K22-060736 K22-060564 K22-056972 K22-054130 K22-054402 K22-054470 K22-055035 K22-055036 A852576 A855737 A855738 A855739 A850215 A850339 A850352 A850581 A850583 A851067 A851315 A851425 A851705 A851714 A851789 A852063 A852088 A852089 A852103 A852431 A852531 A852565 A852574 A829508 A853010 A853016 A757158 A853082 A853376 A853408 A853486 A785339 A854261 A854342 A854343 A854665 A855719 A856625 A857239 A857290 A858209 A858275 A858276 A852121 A857167 A858356 A858171 A853857 A850272 A849667 A850646 …
§ 3‐1‐25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL. (A) An animal surrendered by its owner to the health authority is immediately abandoned by its owner and is the property of the health authority. The health authority may transfer, place, or sell an animal surrendered by its owner at any time after intake. (B) (C) (D) Except as provided in subsection (G), the animal shelter must not euthanize an animal before the animal has been impounded for seven business days and the notice requirements of Section 3‐1‐26 are either satisfied, or determined not to apply. Except as provided in subsection (D), the health authority shall hold an impounded animal not surrendered by its owner for a period of three business days following impoundment of the animal for owner reclamation. On the fourth business day, an impounded animal is the property of the health authority. In order to save the life of an impounded animal not surrendered by its owner, the health authority may transfer that animal to a 26 U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3) (Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.) organization located in Travis County that is an animal shelter, animal rescue organization, or other animal‐ welfare organization prior to the expiration of the period described in subsection (C) subject to the following conditions. (1) The health authority shall maintain documentation, in physical and electronic form reviewable by the public, of an animal transferred under this subsection, including a photograph of the animal and all information pertaining to the animal's impoundment and transfer, at the health authority and on the health authority's website for three business days following the impoundment of the animal at the health authority. (2) An animal transferred under this subsection is considered abandoned by its owner, and becomes the property of the transferee organization, upon the expiration of three business days from impoundment by the health authority. (3) Prior to the expiration of the period described in subsection (D)(2), the transferee organization is the designated caretaker of the animal. (4) An animal transferred under this subsection remains subject to reclamation by its owner prior to the expiration of the period described in subsection (D)(2). (E) An animal in the custody of the health authority solely for purposes of sterilization, vaccination, or microchipping, is not subject to a mandatory period of impoundment. The health authority is the designated caretaker, but not owner, of such animal during any period of …
L A W D E P A R T M E N T M E M O R A N D U M _________ Animal Advisory Commission Trish Link, Division Chief, Land Use and Real Estate June 10, 2022 Transfer of Ownership of Animals Impounded by the City To: From: Date: Subject: This memorandum addresses when ownership of an impounded animal that has not been surrendered by their owner is transferred to the City. Pets are considered property and an owner’s property rights are not automatically lost because their pet escapes or is lost. However, cities possess the power to enact ordinances that divest an owner of their ownership rights in their pets. A city that adopts such an ordinance must explicitly divest the owner of their ownership rights. See Lira v. Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue, 488 S.W.3d 300 (Tex. 2016). The City Code establishes when ownership transfers for an impounded animal. In accordance with the decision in Lira, the City Code explicitly divests a person of their ownership rights. Specifically, City Code Section 3-1-25 provides that the ownership of an impounded animal transfers to the City after three business days (the “hold period”). City Code provides that a business day is a day in which the animal shelter is “open to the public for reclamation and adoption”. When calculating the hold period, the date of the initial impoundment is not included. The transfer of ownership occurs when the hold period expires. This means that beginning the fourth business day, ownership of the impounded animal automatically transfers to the City. However, if the third business day falls on a Saturday when the shelter is open to the public, the transfer occurs on the next business day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or City holiday. See City Code Section 1-1-5 (Calculation of Time). Allowing another person to adopt an impounded dog before the expiration of three business days does not determine whether liability would result. Whether the City would be liable in a particular instance is a fact-sensitive inquiry. Moreover, this would not be an offense under City Code Section 1-1-99 (Offenses; General Penalty). 1 of 1
Date: 6/10/22 Subject: ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 2022610-001 Violation of City Ordinance § 3-1-25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL, sections (C), (I), and (J), and proposed resolution Commissioner Ryan Clinton Motioned By: Recommendation 1. We recommend that the City Council be aware of the recent violations of the City Ordinance listed below at the Austin Animal Center (AAC): § 3-1-25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL, sections (C), (I), and (J). Seconded By: Commissioner Neymer 2. We recommend that the City Council monitors the implementation of our suggestion to the AAC to resolve this issue. Description of Recommendation to Council 1. The Problem: Austin Animal Center has been adopting or transferring lost and stray pets while those pets are still on a legal 'stray hold' period. This means people who lose their pets are may not have had the opportunity to reclaim those pets before they were transferred to another custodian. This practice can be traced to the shelter's decision to close all services to the public on Sundays. There are likely Austin residents still searching for pets they don't know were ever in the care and custody of AAC and the City of Austin. The Commission believes it is imperative that AAC takes action to inform the public about what has occurred and to publicly post these pets that were not afforded their legal stray hold time. Background: In 2016, the Commission was asked by Austin Legal and the AAC Director to approve a new stray hold ordinance. This was the result of a then-recent verdict in a Texas State Supreme Court Case (Lira v. GHGSDR, Inc., 4/1/16) that occurred in the Houston area. The State of Texas deems animals to be “property,” and the City of Austin (COA), like the City of Houston, at that time did not have a clearly described procedure of how and when the ownership of a stray animal at the AAC was conveyed to the COA. Without a clear transfer of ownership, partner organizations and adopters of animals from the AAC were being put at risk of a lawsuit. The following proposed ordinance to correct this was passed by the Austin City Council in 2016: § 3-1-25 DISPOSITION OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL. Particularly important to this discussion are sections (C), (I), and (J). During a discussion at our May 9, 2022 Commission meeting with the AAC Director, it became apparent that the AAC may …
AAC Meeting Minutes 2022-06-10 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES JUNE 10, 2022 APPROVED JULY 11, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a Special Called meeting on Monday, June 10, 2022, 7 p.m., in the Boards and Commissions Room 1101 at Austin City Hall. Commission Chair, Craig Nazor, called the meeting to order at 7:19 p.m. Chair Nazor conducted a roll call of those in attendance and confirmed a quorum of 11 commissioners. Four Commissioners attended the meeting in person: Nazor, Norton, Herrera and Nilson. Seven Commissioners attended via teleconferencing: Mitchell, Neuhaus, Clinton, Nemer, Smagula, Hassen, and Dulzaides. Commissioner Jarl was absent. District 10 is vacant. Commission Members Absent: Jarl Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza 1. NEWS BUSINESS: Discussion and Possible Action a. Hold Period Ordinance Commissioner Clinton proposed, and Commissioner Nemer seconded, that the Commission send a letter to City Council asking that the list of animals affected, starting from January 1, 2022, be analyzed and identified within two weeks; that the information be posted on Websites and social media for up to 90 days, alerting adopters and rescue groups. Commissioners voted 10 to 0, with one abstention, to approve the motion. Voting in favor were Commissioners Nazor, Clinton, Nemer, Mitchell, Neuhaus, Smagula, Hassen, Dulzaides, Herrera, and Nilson. Commissioner Norton abstained. ADJOURNMENT Commission Chair Nazor adjourned the meeting without objection at 8:33 p.m. 1
Agenda Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee June 9, 2022, 12:00 – 1:00 PM Street-Jones Building RM 400A 1000 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702 Zoning and Platting Commission Cesar Acosta Hank Smith Scott Boone COMMITTEE MEMBERS Planning Commission Grayson Cox Yvette Flores Carmen Llanes Pulido Robert Schneider CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first three speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. NEW BUSINESS 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Industrial Study (Discussion and/or possible action) 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Future agenda items will NOT be discussed at the current meeting, but will be offered for initiation, discussion, and/or possible recommendation to the full Planning Commission at a FUTURE meeting. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please call Dee Dee Quinnelly at Housing and Planning Department, at 512-974-2036, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee, please contact Dee Dee Quinnelly at 512-974- 2036 and DeeDee.Quinnelly@austintexas.gov
ANALYSIS OF INDUSTRIAL LAND USE AND ZONING IN AUSTIN, TEXAS Prepared by the City of Austin’s Planning and Zoning Department March, 2020* *Updated September 2020 with minor changes Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 The Austin Context.................................................................................................................................. 4 Environmental Justice, Racial Segregation, and the 1928 City Plan ................................................. 4 Research and Development ............................................................................................................... 6 Annexation of Industrial Property ....................................................................................................... 7 National Trends and Best Practices in Sustainable Industrial Development ......................................... 7 San Francisco, California .................................................................................................................... 8 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ................................................................................................................. 9 Los Angeles, California .................................................................................................................... 10 Portland, Oregon .............................................................................................................................. 12 Current State of Austin’s Industrial-Zoned Land ................................................................................. 13 Industrial Land Uses ........................................................................................................................ 16 Property Values................................................................................................................................ 17 Zoning Cases ................................................................................................................................... 17 The Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan ........................................................................................ 20 Geographic Distribution & Transport ............................................................................................... 20 Vacancies and Undeveloped Land .................................................................................................. 20 Building and Annexation Over Time ................................................................................................. 20 Workforce Considerations ................................................................................................................... 21 Workforce Master Plan .................................................................................................................... 21 Job Totals for Austin’s Industrial-Zoned Land ................................................................................. 23 An Industrial Cluster Typology for Austin ............................................................................................. 24 Key Considerations .......................................................................................................................... 26 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Trends .............................................................................................................................................. 28 1 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix I: Maps ................................................................................................................................. 30 Base Zoning Districts ....................................................................................................................... 30 Industrial Clusters – Land Use ........................................................................................................ 31 Industrial Zoning District Cases ....................................................................................................... 32 Industrial Clusters - Loss of Industrial Zoning ................................................................................. 33 Imagine Austin Jobs Centers ........................................................................................................... 34 Freight Transport Network ............................................................................................................... 35 Developed & Vacant Industrial Zoning ............................................................................................ 36 Industrial-Zoned Properties Decade Annexed ................................................................................. 37 Industrial-Zoned Properties Year Structure Built ............................................................................. 38 2001 Zoning Layer with 2002 US Census Data .............................................................................. 39 2018 Zoning Layer with 2017 US Census Data .............................................................................. 40 Industrial Zoning Study: Case Study Area........................................................................................ 41 Appendix II: Industrial Cluster Case Studies ........................................................................................ 42 North Research Boulevard .............................................................................................................. 42 North Burnet/Gateway .................................................................................................................... 42 Tech Ridge ....................................................................................................................................... 44 US 290 East..................................................................................................................................... 45 Near East ......................................................................................................................................... 46 US 183............................................................................................................................................. 48 St Elmo ............................................................................................................................................ 50 Ben White ........................................................................................................................................ 54 2 Introduction Austin, like many growing cities across the country, is experiencing pressure to convert industrially used and zoned land to mixed-use commercial and residential redevelopment and development. Imagine Austin (2012), the City’s comprehensive plan, envisions “a city of complete communities…defined by amenities, transportation, services, and opportunities that fulfill all Austinites’ material, social, and economic needs.” One component of a complete community is employment opportunities for residents of all skill and education levels. In 2017 there were a total of 624,417 employees citywide. In the city’s industrial-zoned properties, there were 75,244 employees, representing 12% of the …
ANALYSIS OF INDUSTRIAL LAND USE AND ZONING IN AUSTIN, TEXAS Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee Briefing October 14, 2021 Mark Walters Study Organization Workforce Considerations National Trends and Best Practices Current State of Austin’s Industrially-Zoned Land Industrial Cluster Typology for Austin , Texas Conclusions & Recommendations Maps and Case Studies 2 Current State of Austin’s Industrially-Zoned Land 11,657 Acres or 6.6% of Austin zoned for industrial (2018) Only 38% of Industrial zoned land used for industrial uses • Undeveloped 27% • Office 12% 3 Current State of Austin’s Industrially-Zoned Land Industrial zoned areas mostly located to take advantage of highways and ABIA 4 Current State of Austin’s Industrially-Zoned Land Between 2001 and 2018 1,846 acres rezoned from industrial to non-industrial zones Industrial zoned land lost through neighborhood plan rezonings was not included 5 Current State of Austin’s Industrially-Zoned Land Worth $9.5B or 6% of Austin’s value Higher Improvement-to-Land Ratio 2014-2018 tax assessments increased 52%/ commercial land increased 62% Most industrial zoned land gained through annexation North Burnet/Gateway lost over 1,000 acres of industrial zoned land (2008) 6 Industrial Cluster Typology for Austin Identified 8 industrial clusters within Austin Based on best practices from Las Angeles, CA and Philadelphia, PA staff developed an industrial cluster typology Protection Intensification Transition 7 Industrial Cluster Typology for Austin Protection Industrial zoning should be maintained and residential uses discouraged Intensification Can accommodate more industrial uses through zoning certainty, planned infrastructure improvements, and master planning to coordinate public and private investment Transition Areas experiencing significant land conversion to non-industrial uses and are no longer or increasingly less viable for industrial 8 Industrial Cluster Typology for Austin North Research Boulevard Intensification / Protection North Burnet/Gateway Transition Tech Ridge Intensification US-290 Intensification Near East Transition US-183 Transition St. Elmo Transition Ben White Intensification 9 Findings Annexations biggest driver in industrial land growth 37 acres of industrial zoning lost annually for the last ten years Neighborhood and Small Area Plans 10 Findings Recent development of corporate campuses and business/industrial parks Austin’s legacy industrial clusters undergoing transition (e.g., St. Elmo & NBG) Undeveloped industrial land along one-way freeway frontage roads targeted for garden-style apartments 11 Recommendations Precautions must be taken to ensure that nearby industrial properties do not pose a risk to future MF residents Redevelopment in Transition areas should provide sidewalks, bike lanes, storm water facilities, open space, etc. Existing long-term industrial uses should not be punished by new residents …
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN JOINT COMMITTEE Draft Minutes The Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee convened in a special called meeting on April 28, 2022 at Street-Jones Building, 1000 East 11th Street, Room 400A, Austin, TX 78702. Some member participated by video conference. SPECIAL CALLED MEETING April 28, 2022 Zoning and Platting Commission Hank Smith The meeting was called to order at 12:14 p.m. Joint Committee Members in Attendance: Planning Commission Grayson Cox Yvette Flores Robert Schneider City Staff in Attendance: Matt Dugan, Housing and Planning Department Cole Kitten and Upal Barua, Austin Transportation Others in Attendance: Joe Reynolds PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Megan Meisenbach Members Absent Carmen Llanes Pulido Cesar Acosta Joe Reynolds and Megan Meisenbach spoke on the proposed amendments to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. NEW BUSINESS A motion was made to approve the minutes from the March 10, 2021 meeting by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Schneider. Vote 4-0. Commissioners Llanes Pulido and Acosta were absent. a. Austin Strategic Mobility Plan Amendments (Discussion and/or possible action). Cole Kitten and Upal Barua with Austin Transportation presented on the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) proposed amendments. Commissioners discussed the amendments and the ZAP recommendations, Cole Kitten and Upal Barua provided responses to the ZAP recommendations. A motion was made to forward to Planning Commission the proposed amendments, ZAP recommendations, and the staff response to ZAP recommendations by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Cox. Vote 4-0. 1 3. OLD BUSINESS None. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS -Industrial land study ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:16 p.m. 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 4 days before the meeting date. Please call Dee Dee Quinnelly at Planning and Zoning Department, at 512-974-2036, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee, please contact Dee Dee Quinnelly at (512) 974-2036 or deedee.quinnelly@austintexas.gov. 2
ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 8TH, 2022 6:00 PM CITY HALL, AUSTIN, TX Some members of the ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION may be participating by video conference. The meeting may 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. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Gerry Acuna District 10 Albert Swantner District 1 Ethan Myers District 6 Ingrid Powell District 9 AGENDA Cathy Gattuso District 5 Melissa Rothrock District 2 Kaiba White District 7 Amanda Masino Mayor Jonathan Barona District 3 Ian Steyaert District 8 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION GENERAL: The first three speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 11th, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes 2. NEW BUSINESS 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Discussion and Action: Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) Vehicle Wraps RCA - Raymond Benavidez Zero Waste Comprehensive Plan Update – Gena McKinley, Jason McCombs, and Selene Castillo Brush Collection Update, Bulk Collection Update, Emergency Brush and Bulk Collection Contract Overview, Solicitations Update, Performance Reports, and Statistical Reports. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ➢ 2022 Annual ZWAC Retreat (June 23rd) ➢ Small Minority Business Resources (SMBR) Future Opportunities and Involvement Presentation (August) - Victoria ➢ Keep Austin Beautiful Update (August) ➢ Office of Sustainability Comprehensive Food Plan Presentation (August) ➢ Future FM 812 Landfill Potential (TBD) ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans 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 two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Dwight Scales at Austin Resource Recovery Department, at (512) 974-2435 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Dwight Scales at (512) 974-2435.
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery June 8th, 2022 Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission To: From: Date: Subject: Brush Collection Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) provides brush collection twice per year. Postcards are mailed several weeks in advance informing customers of the collection date. All brush debris is hauled to Hornsby Bend where it is processed into mulch and used to make Dillo Dirt for Austin Water. Staff is currently working on an On-Call Pilot for brush collection scheduled to begin in August 2022. Bulk Collection: Scheduled and On-Call Austin Resource Recovery provides bulk collection twice per year. Postcards are mailed several weeks in advance informing customers of the collection date. Customers separate items into three piles: bulk, metal items, and tires. ARR collects the material over a week and recyclable materials including appliances, electronics, and metals are scavenged before crews can capture and divert them. ARR is currently only able to divert tires for recycling and the remaining bulk materials are landfilled. On-Call Bulk Collection: customers can schedule up to three collections per year by contacting Austin 311 or scheduling through the ReCollect app. Customers set out items in three piles: bulk, metal items, and tires. ARR can recover more items for recycling on on-call routes due to reduced scavenging. The remaining bulk items are landfilled. ARR is developing plans for a city-wide expansion of on-call bulk collection. The anticipated rollout is late 2023. Emergency Brush and Bulk Collection Contract Overview ARR executed an emergency contract with DRC Emergency Services to reinstate brush and bulk collection while ARR continues to fill vacant driver positions. Collection of these materials resumed on May 2nd, while on-call bulk collection resumed on April 25th using ARR staff. DRC is providing labor, equipment, maintenance, and fuel costs to collect materials. Spending authority is in place for up to $1.1 million, which includes disposal costs. The contractor will assist with collections through the end of June. ARR is diverting metals, appliances, electronics, and tires from all bulk routes with DRC providing a collection of landfill items. All brush is transported to Hornsby Bend for processing. During Winter Storm Uri, ARR also contracted with DRC and Tetra Tech to assist with cleanup. DRC provided debris collection and Tetra Tech provided monitoring services, which is a requirement for potential Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement. The timeframe for this assistance …
RCA Cover Sheet for ZWAC-Revised May 2022 VEHICLE WRAP AND INSTALLATION SERVICES EAGLE EYE PARTNERS, INC SOLICITATION # (IFB 1500 AMA1069) Council: 06/09/2022 ZWAC:06/08/2022 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: The contract has an initial term of five years and a contract not to exceed amount of $3,085,430. (Authorized Departments: Austin Resource Recovery). ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $617,086 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Capital Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. 2. Solicitation Information Solicitation No: IFB 1500 AMA1069 # of bids received: 1 # of non-responsive bids received: 0 Length of time solicitation was out on the street: 7 Weeks Was the time extended? Yes Issued date: January 31, 2022 Closed date: March 22, 2022 3. Previous/Current Contract Information Previous contract: No Contract number: N/A Contract length and authorization: N/A Contract actual spend: N/A Current status: N/A Contract execution date: N/A Contract expiration date: N/A 4. Financial Analysis* Estimated Unit Cost: $7,786 or $5,250 (depending on vehicle size) Basis: Eagle Eye Partners, Inc Price Offer Sheet (link) Cost Comparison: 1 bid received Estimated Annual Spend: $617,086 average annual spend (actual spend will be determined by the number of vehicles ordered each year) RCA Cover Sheet for ZWAC-Revised May 2022 5. Notes/Other This Contract is needed for the purchase of vehicle wraps and installation services (“Vehicle Wraps”) on various vehicles for the Austin Resource Recovery Department (“ARR”). The Vehicle Wraps will display various Zero Waste campaign ads as the vehicles move throughout the City. The Vehicle Wraps will be installed on collection vehicles. Due to ongoing vehicle purchases, the list of vehicle types and campaign ads may change throughout the specified contract period at the City's discretion. This contract will support the City’s goal to promote its Zero Waste initiative. The City plans to achieve the Zero Waste goal of reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills by ninety percent by the year 2040. Zero Waste is a shift from traditional waste management to materials management, where trash is what remains once we reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost. The Contractor is responsible for the environmentally sustainable and proper disposal of any waste material generated during the wrapping process in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. REVIEWED …
To: From: Date: Subject: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery June 8th, 2022 Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Brush Collection Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) provides brush collection twice per year. Postcards are mailed several weeks in advance informing customers of the collection date. All brush debris is hauled to Hornsby Bend where it is processed into mulch and used to make Dillo Dirt for Austin Water. Staff is currently working on an On-Call Pilot for brush collection scheduled to begin in August 2022. Bulk Collection: Scheduled and On-Call Austin Resource Recovery provides bulk collection twice per year. Postcards are mailed several weeks in advance informing customers of the collection date. Customers separate items into three piles: bulk, metal items, and tires. ARR collects the material over a week and recyclable materials including appliances, electronics, and metals are scavenged before crews can capture and divert them. ARR is currently only able to divert tires for recycling and the remaining bulk materials are landfilled. On-Call Bulk Collection: customers can schedule up to three collections per year by contacting Austin 311 or scheduling through the ReCollect app. Customers set out items in three piles: bulk, metal items, and tires. ARR can recover more items for recycling on on-call routes due to reduced scavenging. The remaining bulk items are landfilled. ARR is developing plans for a city-wide expansion of on-call bulk collection. The anticipated rollout is late 2023. Emergency Brush and Bulk Collection Contract Overview ARR executed an emergency contract with DRC Emergency Services to reinstate brush and bulk collection while ARR continues to fill vacant driver positions. Collection of these materials resumed on May 2nd, while on-call bulk collection resumed on April 25th using ARR staff. DRC is providing labor, equipment, maintenance, and fuel costs to collect materials. Spending authority is in place for up to $1.1 million, which includes disposal costs. The contractor will assist with collections through the end of June. ARR is diverting metals, appliances, electronics, and tires from all bulk routes with DRC providing a collection of landfill items. All brush is transported to Hornsby Bend for processing. During Winter Storm Uri, ARR also contracted with DRC and Tetra Tech to assist with cleanup. DRC provided debris collection and Tetra Tech provided monitoring services, which is a requirement for potential Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement. The timeframe for this assistance …
Comprehensive Plan Update ZWAC June 2022 Agenda • Progress • Community Engagement • Racial Equity Tool • Goals (ZWAC) • Climate Equity Plan • Next Steps • Questions PROGRESS Survey • 1st phase: • 2nd phase: • Open 1 month (Oct-Nov 2020) • 2,800+ respondents • Open 2 months (March-June 2021) • 300+ respondents https://publicinput.com/arrsurvey Community Engagement: Survey Survey Participants: Phase I Survey Outreach MARKETING • Digital • Radio • Print • Television OUTREACH • Places of Worship • Grocery stores • Meal distribution organizations • Farmers Markets • YMCAs • COA Community Centers Survey Outreach: Timeline Survey Participants: Phase II Survey Type and Language Survey Takeaways Diversion Frequency Majority report “always” or “frequently” practicing 4 out of 5 diversion activities listed: recycling, reusing items, repairing items, donating items Knowledge of ARR Programs and Services Majority report “no knowledge” of Zero Waste Block Leader Program, and clothing and housewares curbside collection Use of ARR Programs and Services Approximately half or more respondents have used the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center Desire for Additional Drop-off Facilities The most desired additional drop-off option is several, smaller drop-off centers at libraries and city facilities 2nd Phase: May, July, August 2021 • 7 focus groups • Community members • 50 participants 1st Phase: July 2020 • 7 focus groups • Environmental/Non-Profit Groups • Commercial Building Managers and Event Organizers • Educational Institutions • Food Service Providers • Haulers and Solid Waste/Recycling Facilities • Multi-Family Building Managers • Reuse Community • 38 participants Focus Groups Focus Groups: Takeaways • Residents are familiar with ARR’s core curbside services • Participants suggested the need for clear, repetitive, and consistent education and messaging • Building awareness about classes, rebates, and incentive programs would likely result in increased participation • Welcome collaboration with ARR Chapters: Overview • Department Structure • Metrics & Measurement • Curbside Services • Drop Off & Pick Up Services • Community Services • Facilities & Infrastructure • Commercial Collection System • Universal Recycling • Construction & Demolition • Circular Economy • Special Events • Engagement ARR Racial Equity Tool • Began development in early FY21 • Modeled after: • City of Seattle’s Racial Equity Tool • Circular Economy Team’s draft Equity Tool • Government Alliance on Racial Equity (GARE) Racial Equity Toolkit “This ARR Racial Equity Tool provides a process and questions to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of external ARR initiatives to identify …
Water and Wastewater Commission June 8, 2022 — 6:00 pm Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Boulevard Austin, Texas Some members may be participating by videoconference. For more information go to: http://www.austintexas.gov/wwc 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. To register, call or email the board liaison at 512-972-0115 or Blanca.Madriz@austintexas.gov . Citizens wishing to speak in person on the agenda and non-agenda related items must sign up at least ten minutes before the meeting is called to order. Chien Lee, Chair (District 4) Christianne Castleberry, Vice Chair (District 5) Vacant (District 6) Judy Musgrove (District 7) Christy Williams (District 8) Grant Fisher (District 9) Susan Turrieta (District 10) Commissioners: William Moriarty (Mayor) Jesse Penn (District 1) Alex Navarro (District 2) Travis Michel (District 3) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES CITY COUNCIL 1. Approval of minutes from the May 11, 2022, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. B. ITEMS FOR COMMISSION’S REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL TO 1. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract with Pump Solutions Inc. to provide pump repair, replacement parts, and services, for five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $972,750. 2. Recommend approval to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement with Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority for reimbursement up to $750,337 for design, project management, and construction costs for the City’s proportionate share of wastewater mains and a shared-use path being constructed at the McKalla commuter rail transit station (Districts 4 & 7). 3. Recommend approval to award and execute a construction contract with Santa Clara Construction, Ltd., for the Vargas Neighborhood Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project in the amount of $4,535,091 plus a $453,509.10 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,988,600.10 (District 3). 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 Blanca Madriz at Austin Water, 512-972-0115 for …
B1 # 22-1984 Water &Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June 16, 2022 ..Body Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to negotiate and execute a contract with Pump Solutions Inc. to provide pump repair, replacement parts, and services, for five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $972,750. MBE/WBE Sole source contracts are exempt from the City Code Chapter 2-9D Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established. Lead Department Financial Services Department Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Operations, Rick Coronado Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $405,313 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: Sole Source. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: June 8, 2022 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will provide replacement pumps, parts, and services for the KSB and Cornell pumps that operate in Lift Stations and the Handcox Water Treatment Plant. These pumps are necessary to ensure that raw sewage is pumped to a treatment plant for processing. The Handcox Water Treatment Plant uses KSB pumps as sump pumps to ensure process areas stay dry and do not flood, which could possibly cause serious damage. This contract will reduce the amount of time required to purchase, repair, and order replacement parts as needed for these pumps. This contract will reduce the purchasing time and the possibility of a sanitary sewer overflow which is reportable to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Strategic Outcome(s): Health and Safety.
B2 # 22-1973 Water &Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June 9, 2022 ..Title Posting Language Recommend approval to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement with Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority for reimbursement up to $750,337 for design, project management, and construction costs for the City’s proportionate share of wastewater mains and a shared-use path being constructed at the McKalla commuter rail transit station. ..Body Lead Department Management Services Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Engineering Services, Shay Ralls Roalson Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $526,737 for the Austin Water portion of this agreement is contingent upon available funding in a future Austin Water budget. Public Works Department will use local mobility bond funds to reimburse CapMetro. Prior Council Action: August 7, 2020 – Council approved resolution No. 20200807-003, relating to guidance on dedicating tax revenue and the terms of an interlocal agreement to be negotiated for the implementation of Project Connect for the November 2020 tax rate election November 4, 2021 – Council authorized negotiation and execution of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the City of Austin, CapMetro and the Austin Transit Partnership in order to implement Project Connect projects. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: June 8, 2022 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: McKalla Station is a new commuter rail transit station, along the existing CapMetro Red Line, being constructed by CapMetro as part of Project Connect. The McKalla Station will provide increased mobility and transit options for the North Burnet area. The station will be located along the east side of the new Major League Soccer Stadium (Q2 Stadium), near Delta Drive, on the MetroRail Red Line between Braker Lane and Rutland Drive. The project is located on the border of Districts 4 & 7. More information about the McKalla Station can be found in the Fact Sheet on the Project Connect website (https://projectconnect.com/projects/red-line). ..Strategic Outcome(s) B2 #22-1973 Water & Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June 9, 2022 Figure 1: Project Connect MetroRail Red Line and Stations Figure 2: Project Connect McKalla Station This interlocal agreement will enable CapMetro to include certain City-requested improvements into the scope of the McKalla Station design and will provide a mechanism for the City to reimburse CapMetro for the City’s share of that work. Wastewater Utility Improvements The improvements by CapMetro require the relocation and adjustment of two existing …
B3 # 22-2043 Water &Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June16, 2022 ..Body Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to award and execute a construction contract with Santa Clara Construction, Ltd., for the Vargas Neighborhood Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project in the amount of $4,535,091 plus a $453,509.10 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,988,600.10 (District 3) M/WBE This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 80.37% MBE and 0.74% WBE participation. Lead Department Financial Services Department Client Austin Water Assistant Director of Engineering Services, Shay Ralls Roalson Managing Department Public Works Department Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Purchasing Language: Lowest responsive bid of four bids received through a competitive Invitation for Bid solicitation. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Documents. Prior Council Action: N/A Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: June 8, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The Vargas Neighborhood Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project is part of the Renewing Austin Program. The Renewing Austin Program is an ongoing effort to replace, and upgrade deteriorated and aging water mains with a documented history of multiple breaks, that are in poor condition, and that impact service delivery. In addition, the program coordinates and includes wastewater lines in poor condition and in need of replacement within the project area. This project consists of the repair and replacement of existing water and wastewater mains located within the general boundaries of Porter Street and Montana Street on the north, Santos Street and Canal Street to the south, Vargas Road to the west, and Frontier Valley Drive to the east. The water system renewal includes approximately 5,876 linear feet of 8- and 12-inch main along with service lines to individual properties and associated appurtenances. The wastewater system renewal includes approximately 5,325 linear feet of 8-inch main, manholes, and service lines to individual properties. The wastewater system improvements also include lining 611 linear feet of concrete wastewater pipelines using the cured-in-place lining method. B3 # 22-2043 Water &Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June16, 2022 Due to the potential for encountering unknown underground utilities during construction, a 10% …
B4 # 22-2044 Water &Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June 16, 2022 ..Body Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to award and execute a construction contract with Excel Construction Services, LLC, for the Zebra Mussel Mitigation project in the amount of $4,435,204 plus a $443,520.40 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,878,724.40 (Districts 8 and 10). MBE/WBE This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 2.45% MBE and 2.54% WBE participation. Lead Department Financial Services Department Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Engineering Services, Shay Ralls Roalson Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Purchasing Language: Lowest responsive bid of one bid received through a competitive Invitation for Bid solicitation. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Documents. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: June 8, 2022 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: In 2017, Texas Parks and Wildlife discovered zebra mussels at several locations in Lake Austin. Since then, growth of zebra mussels on the raw water intake infrastructure has been confirmed at the Davis Water Treatment Plant (WTP), the Handcox WTP, and the Ullrich WTP. Adult zebra mussels attach to submerged piping or mechanical equipment and can cause significant damage by clogging small valves and pipelines, reducing hydraulic capacity of pipelines, and causing pumps to fail. Currently, Austin Water has a chemical treatment system in operation which adds copper sulfate, a molluscicide, to the raw water to remove and prevent future growth of zebra mussels. This project will replace the chemical feed system with a copper ion generation (CIG) system. CIG is an electrolysis process that produces copper ions without the need of a chemical storage and feed system. This system allows copper to be applied to the raw water at the raw water pumps, providing protection to additional treatment infrastructure and preventing growth inside pipes and other equipment that divers cannot reach. This project will install Copper Ion Generation (CIG) systems at each of the Low Service Pump Stations for the Handcox, Ullrich, and Davis WTPs. Work includes all related piping, valves, supports, instrumentation and controls, electrical wiring, equipment, and appurtenances necessary to provide a …
B5 # 22-2180 Water &Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June 16, 2022 . Body Posting Language ..Title Recommend approval to consent to the annexation by Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10 of one property totaling, once subdivided, approximately 5.03 acres, located near 4315 Dunning Lane, Austin, Texas, 78746. This property is located in the Lake Austin Watershed (Extraterritorial jurisdiction, near Council District 8). Lead Department Housing and Planning Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Environmental, Planning and Development Services, Kevin Critendon. Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: June 1, 2022 – Recommended by the Environmental Commission on a 9-0 vote with Commissioner Qureshi and Bixler absent. June 28, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Planning Commission. June 8, 2022 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: The applicant seeks annexation into WCID 10 to acquire water service for about half of an existing 10-acre property, or approximately 5.03 acres. If annexation approval is granted, the property owner will subdivide the existing 10-acre property and seek to serve the 5-acre portion of the replatted lot through WCID 10. The balance of the property will be in Austin Water’s service area. As part of the Annexation into a Water District process, case number C12M-2022-0001 will go before Austin’s Commissions as well as Austin City Council. Upon City Council approval, the property will then be annexed by the District. Representatives of the property owners appeared before the District’s Board of Directors at its meeting on January 12, 2022, and the District Board approved the annexation request contingent upon receiving the City’s approval of the District’s annexation of the property. City Review Process The District is a wholesale water customer of the City. Annexation will allow the District to provide retail water service to the subject properties. Requests for annexation into a water district are typically evaluated in terms of: • • Land use impacts • The City’s ability to provide direct water and/or wastewater service • The terms of the City’s consent agreement/contract(s) with the water district • Environmental impacts • Whether the proposed annexation would induce development within the DWPZ beyond what would Impact on the City’s annexation program occur otherwise B5 # 22-2180 Water &Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June 16, 2022 Staff Recommendation Staff recommends …
Zebra Mussel Mitigation Update Stephanie Sue, P.E., Water Treatment Operations Manager Water & Wastewater Commission | June 8, 2022 Last Update: September 9, 2020 W&WW Commission 09.09.2020 - ZM Briefing Update Agenda Zebra Mussel Activity and Public Outreach Ongoing Treatment of Zebra Mussels (Copper Sulfate) Water Treatment Plant Intake Cleaning and Inspection Copper Ion Generation Treatment and Next Steps Zebra Mussel Activity July 2018 September 2018 January 2019 Zebra Mussel Activity Zebra Mussel Activity 9/22/2017 300 Tom Miller Dam Mansfield Dam Water Temperature 4/10/2018 10/27/2018 5/15/2019 12/1/2019 6/18/2020 1/4/2021 7/23/2021 2/8/2022 35 ) L / S R E G I L E V ( Y T I S N E D R E G I L E V 250 200 150 100 50 0 C ° , E R U T A R E P M E T R E T A W 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Zebra Mussel Public Outreach Press Release issued October 26, 2020 Copper Sulfate Treatment Copper Sulfate Treatment Remove growth and accumulation within treatment plant infrastructure without impacting water source Handcox Copper Sulfate System operational since summer 2019 Ullrich and Davis Copper Sulfate System operational since summer 2020 Copper sulfate systems are located outdoors (Ullrich and Davis) and reliant on chemical deliveries Validation of Effectiveness Control (No Copper Sulfate) Copper Sulfate Added Intake Cleaning and Inspection Water treatment plant cleanings and inspections have occurred annually since 2019 Cleaning occurs within intake structures, pump casings, pump pits, etc. Inspections have shown that cleanings are effective in reducing the accumulation of zebra mussels Ullrich WTP – Bay 1 Sluice Gate Sluice Gate – Pre-Removal Sluice Gate – Post-Removal Bay 1 Sluice Gate Stem – Pre-Removal Bay 1 Sluice Gate Stem – Post-Removal Ullrich WTP – Pump 2 and 3 Pump 2 Casing– Pre-Removal Pump 2 Casing– Post-Removal Pump 3 Casing– Pre-Removal Pump 3 Casing– Post-Removal Ullrich WTP – Bay 1 Bay 1 Trash Rack– Pre-Removal 2019 Bay 1 Trash Rack– Pre-Removal 2020 Bay 1 Trash Rack– Pre-Removal Apr 2021 Bay 1 Trash Rack– Pre-Removal Oct 2021 Bay 1 Trash Rack– Post-Removal Oct 2021 Davis WTP – Sluice Gate Stem Sluice Gate Stem – Pre-Removal Sluice Gate Stem – Post-Removal Handcox WTP – Upper Intake Screen 2019 Upper Intake Screen – Pre-Removal Spring 2021 Upper Intake Screen – Pre-Removal Fall 2021 Upper Intake Screen …
My ATX Water PROGRAM UPDATE Water & Wastewater Commission June 8, 2022 Agenda: Deployment Progress • Cumulative Meter Installations • Citywide Implementation Customer Outreach and Portal Engagement Key Takeaways DEPLOYMENT PROGRESS Cumulative Meter Installations Citywide Implementation Citywide Deployment • 54% Data Collection Units installed • ~63,500 field surveys complete • Supply chain adjustments Meter to Bill Automation • ~2,500 meters converted from manual to automated reads • Converting 500 per week currently • Beginning to convert 2,500 per week by June 13 CUSTOMER OUTREACH & PORTAL ENGAGMENT Customer Outreach Customer mailer (2-4 weeks prior to install) Email (~1 week prior to install) Neighborhood yard signs NextDoor posts Virtual community information meetings HOA/Neighborhood Association notification Upcoming Summer Campaign Portal Engagement Message open rate averages 60 – 70%; • Industry standard around 17 – 28% Types of messages sent: • Emergency notifications • Meter install notifications • Portal invites • AW Summer Tips • New Customer emails • Outages and other alerts COMING SOON: Tiered Rate Notifications Key Takeaways 20,588 continuous consumption alerts sent 95% “positive” customer replies from continuous consumption alerts Estimated 3 million gallons of water conserved from customer-side leaks Until pets learn to turn the water off… there’s My ATX Water Questions?
AQUIFER STORAGE & RECOVERY Water & Wastewater Commission | June 8, 2022 AGENDA 1 Welcome 2 About Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) 3 ASR Project Timeline 4 Update on Work To Date 5 Next Steps ABOUT ASR: PROJECT BACKGROUND Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) is a water supply strategy to store available water for recovery and use when we need it most. Other cities around the US and here in Texas are already using ASR systems, including San Antonio, El Paso, and Kerrville. ABOUT AQUIFERS • Aquifers are layers of rock or sediment below the ground that can hold large amounts of water • Groundwater is water held underground in the sediment or in rock pores. • The ASR project will not remove more water than was stored. ABOUT ASR: PROJECT BACKGROUND ASR is part of the Austin City Council- approved Water Forward plan, which provides a roadmap for Austin’s water future for the next 100 years. In 2021, Austin Water (AW) began a study to determine if aquifers in our region are suitable for AW’s ASR project. ABOUT ASR: HOW IT WORKS • When water supplies are plentiful, available water from Austin’s drinking water system is pumped into an aquifer underground. • Treated, potable water is stored in the aquifer until it is needed. ABOUT ASR: HOW IT WORKS • When Austin’s regular water supply becomes low, stored water can be pumped out of the aquifer • Stored water is tested and treated before delivered to customers. ABOUT ASR: PROJECT BENEFITS Aquifer Storage and Recovery will make Austin’s water supply more resilient through climate change and droughts. An ASR system can store large amounts of water with minimal disturbance to the land above the aquifer. Water stored in an ASR system would be available under Austin’s existing water rights, allowing Austin to maximize local water resources. Storing water underground in a natural aquifer prevents the high evaporative losses that reservoirs experience in a warm climate. Storing water in a natural aquifer is more cost effective than other similarly sized water storage options. An ASR system could provide a second source of water supply during emergencies. ABOUT ASR: PROJECT TIMELINE 2021-2023 Identify locations for testing and possible projects 2028-2035 Design and construction of full-scale ASR project 2024-2027 Conduct field testing and small-scale project testing to develop recommendations for a full-scale ASR project We are here INITIAL SCREENING Major aquifers INITIAL …
After Action Status Update Water & Wastewater Commission | June 8, 2022 Overview Winter Storm Uri Improvements Plan • 79 Improvements Identified • 68 Completed Ullrich Turbidity Event Improvements Plan • 38 Improvements Identified • 30 Completed Of 17 remaining improvements, 14 are longer-term CIP initiatives 2 Recently Completed Resiliency Improvements Operations Staffing, Procedures and Training • Added access for management staff to monitor SCADA remotely • Enabled external notification of turbidity exceedance alarms • Enabled automatic backwashing of filters for turbidity trigger Infrastructure Enhancements • Completed Davis Water Treatment Plant Power Distribution Upgrade • Added third electrical feed to Ullrich Water Treatment Plant and enabled automatic switching capability Internal / External Communications • Provided emergency notifications using My ATX Water customer portal and Warn Central Texas • Provided regular incident status updates to Austin Water staff 3 Resiliency Improvements Underway (to be completed by September 30, 2022) Operations Staffing, Procedures and Training • New Operations and Training positions: recruitment process underway criteria • Define and implement operational situational awareness Infrastructure Enhancements • Replacement of North Austin Reservoir • Complete winterization of components at plants • Review SCADA alarms, seeding alert pop-ups, modernization opportunities Emergency Preparedness • • 4 Implement Emergency Preparedness Plan to meet SB3 requirements Increase Incident Management Team Roster and conduct annual training activities Longer Term Resiliency Improvements Automatic shutdown of filters for turbidity exceedances Water storage and transmission projects in the distribution system Electric generation and power resiliency projects at treatment plants, lift stations and pump stations Improved chemical storage and sludge storage/disposal capabilities at treatment plants Installation of My ATX Water (AMI) meters 5 Questions / Discussion
B4 # 22-2044 Water &Wastewater Commission: June 8, 2022 Council: June 16, 2022 ..Title Posting Language Recommend approval to award and execute a construction contract with Excel Construction Services, LLC, for the Zebra Mussel Mitigation project in the amount of $4,435,204 plus a $443,520.40 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,878,724.40 (Districts 8 and 10). MBE/WBE This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 2.45% MBE and 2.54% WBE participation. ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department Client Department Austin Water Assistant Director of Engineering Services, Shay Ralls Roalson Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water. Purchasing Language Lowest responsive bid of three bids received through a competitive Invitation for Bid solicitation. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services website, Austin Finance Online. Link: Solicitation Documents. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: June 8, 2022 - To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission. Additional Backup Information: In 2017, Texas Parks and Wildlife discovered zebra mussels at several locations in Lake Austin. Since then, growth of zebra mussels on the raw water intake infrastructure has been confirmed at the Davis Water Treatment Plant (WTP), the Handcox WTP, and the Ullrich WTP. Adult zebra mussels attach to submerged piping or mechanical equipment and can cause significant damage by clogging small valves and pipelines, reducing hydraulic capacity of pipelines, and causing pumps to fail. Currently, Austin Water has a chemical treatment system in operation which adds copper sulfate, a molluscicide, to the raw water to remove and prevent future growth of zebra mussels. This project will replace the chemical feed system with a copper ion generation (CIG) system. CIG is an electrolysis process that produces copper ions without the need of a chemical storage and feed system. This system allows copper to be applied to the raw water at the raw water pumps, providing protection to additional treatment infrastructure and preventing growth inside pipes and other equipment that divers cannot reach. This project will install Copper Ion Generation (CIG) systems at each of the Low Service Pump Stations for the Handcox, Ullrich, and Davis WTPs. Work includes all related piping, valves, supports, instrumentation and controls, electrical wiring, equipment, and appurtenances necessary to provide a …
WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022 The Water & Wastewater Commission convened in a Regular Called meeting on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Chair Lee called the Water and Wastewater Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jesse Penn, Travis Michel, Chair Chien Lee, Vice-Chair Christianne Castleberry, Judy Musgrove Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: William Moriarty, Christy Williams PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no registered speakers for Public Communication. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of minutes from the May 11, 2022, regular meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission. The minutes from the May 11, 2022, meeting were approved on Vice-Chair Castleberry’s motion, Commissioner Musgrove’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro, Fisher and Turrieta absent and one vacancy. B. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL Approve a recommendation to negotiate and execute a contract with Pump Solutions Inc. to provide pump repair, replacement parts, and services, for five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $972,750. The motion to approve the recommendation was approved on Commissioner Michel’s motion, Commissioner Musgrove’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro, Fisher and Turrieta absent and one vacancy. Approve a recommendation to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement with Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority for reimbursement up to $750,337 for design, project management, and construction costs for the City’s proportionate share of wastewater mains 1. 2. 3. 1 and a shared-use path being constructed at the McKalla commuter rail transit station (Districts 4 & 7). The motion to approve the recommendation was approved on Commissioner Michel’s motion, Commissioner Musgrove’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Navarro, Fisher and Turrieta absent and one vacancy. Approve a recommendation to award and execute a construction contract with Santa Clara Construction, Ltd., for the Vargas Neighborhood Water and Wastewater Pipeline Renewal project in the amount of $4,535,091 plus a $453,509.10 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,988,600.10 (District 3). The motion to approve the recommendation was approved on Commissioner Penn’s motion and Commissioner Musgrove’s second on a 6-0 vote with Chair Lee recusing and Commissioners Navarro, Fisher and Turrieta absent and one vacancy. Approve a recommendation to award and execute a construction contract with Excel Construction Services, LLC, for the Zebra Mussel Mitigation project in the amount of $4,435,204 plus a $443,520.40 …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL June 8, 2022, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. 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. To register, contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from May 11, 2022, meeting 2. PRESENTATIONS Presenters: a. Updates from Child Inc on Early Head Start and Head Start programs • Beverly Davis, Child Inc, Interim Head Start Director • Belen Hernandez, Child Inc, Dual Language Coordinator • Edith Gray, Child Inc, Funds Development PR/Social Media Consultant b. Updates from the Austin Independent School District on Head Start program Presenter: • Ashlee Johnson, Austin ISD, Head Start Administrator 3. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group updates i. Discuss next steps following the Austin Public Health presentation on City actions since 2017 Child Care and Pre-K Resolution ii. Discuss Regional Economic Equity Development Plan (REED) presentation from the Austin Diversity and Ethnic Chambers of Commerce (DECA) iii. August ECC meeting iv. v. City Council member visits and City Council budget hearing speakers Standing agenda item inviting early childhood related groups to share updates organized by the Success By 6 Coalition to discuss early childhood investments b. Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) updates i. Topics to bring to JIC 4. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates 5. RELATED GROUPS (As needed) a. Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children b. Child Care Regulation c. Child Inc d. E3 Alliance e. Success By 6 Coalition f. 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 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) …
Austin ISD Head Start Ashlee Johnson Head Start Administrator, Austin ISD 1 History and Program Overview • Austin ISD is annually awarded $1.6M for 5 years – Serving families in Austin/Travis Co. • Total of 204 full day slots - Pre-K3 only • Certified Teacher and Teaching Assistant • Located on Elementary School campuses 8 sites currently – Guerrero-Thompson, Jordan, Rodriguez, Langford, Oak Springs, Sanchez, Uphaus Early Learning Center and Houston 2 Services for Families ● Vision and Hearing Screening ● Dedicated Family Advocate ● Family Needs Assessment and Goal Setting ● Special Education and Behavior Supports ● Wrap-Around services and supports ● Parent Meetings and Parenting Curriculum Classes ● Parent Representation via Policy Council 3 Partners 4 What are we excited about? • 204 students consistently enrolled • Over 90% of students have up to date physical/dental screenings • Use of technology – Text Messaging – Recordings of Parent Meeting/Parenting Curriculum – Swivil Cameras - Coaching and Parent Meetings • Community Partners 5 What do we need support with? • After School Childcare for 3-yr olds • Full Day Pre-K 3 6 Questions For information on AISD Head Start visit: https://www.austinisd.org/early-childhood/head-start For Information on AISD Head Start Policy Council visit: https://www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/hspc/meetings 7
E d u c a t i n g F a m i l i e s . R a i s i n g F a m i l i e s . 1 9 7 2 - 2 0 2 2 VISION To create a community where all children regardless of income have an equal opportunity to become independent and self-sufficient adults. MISSION Provide high quality education and comprehensive support services for children and their families while supporting personal and social responsibility in the communities we serve. 50 YEARS of SERVICE Child Inc Head Start is a national high-quality research based early childhood development program designed to promote school readiness for families living in poverty with children ages 0-5 including pregnant mothers, the program is focused on closing the achievement gap between more affluent peers and lower income children. For 50 years, Child Inc has been preparing very low-income preschool children to succeed in school. We pursue a strong, clear, and comprehensive focus on all aspects of healthy development, including social, emotional, cognitive, physical development including mental health and disabilities. History Core Programs NAEYC Accredited Centers Early Head Start (EHS) for 0 to 3-year-olds Head Start (HS) Including Dual Language for 3-to 5-year-olds Home Based Services 0–3-year-olds Parent, Family and Community Engagement Summer Learning Program (funded in part by the COA) After School Program (funded in part by the COA & Travis County) Childcare Partnership Grant Pregnant / Expectant Families Program Fatherhood Engagement Services provided in classroom learning, home visitor & collaborative classrooms within Austin, Del Valle, & Manor ISD’s. 1 2 3 • • • • • Eligibility Requirements • • Income Eligible Families at 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines SNAP, TANF and/or SSI Recipients Reside in Travis County Income Eligible Families with Children Ages Birth to Five Income Eligible Expectant Families Foster Children Are Eligible Regardless of Their Foster Family’s Income Children From Families Experiencing Homelessness Center Locations 1 American Youth Works CDC** ~ 78741 2 Brodie CDC* ~ 78745 3 Cedar Bend CDC* ~ 78758 4 Dawson CDC* ~ 78704 5 Dove Springs CDC ~ 78744 6 Forbes CDC* ~ 78754 7 Fountain Plaza CDC* ~ 78751 8 Child Inc Main Office ~ 78751 9 Grant CDC* ~ 78758 10 Mainsprings CDC** ~ 78704 11 Palomita CDC** ~ 78744 12 Rosewood Zaragosa CDC* ~ 78702 …
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 8, 2022 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Board Members in Attendance: Vice Chair Worthington, Council Members Alvarez, Bliss Lima, Conlin, Hedrick, Hosking Pulido, Huston, McCollum, and Schennum Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Donna Sundstrom, Cindy Gamez, and Michelle Rodriguez CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chair Worthington called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No public comment 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from May 11, 2022, meeting – Member Huston moved to approve the minutes from the May 11, 2022, regular meeting. Member Conlin seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote of 9-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS a. Updates from Child Inc on Early Head Start and Head Start programs Presenters: • Beverly Davis, Child Inc, Interim Head Start Director • Belen Hernandez, Child Inc, Dual Language Coordinator • Edith Gray, Child Inc, Funds Development PR/Social Media Consultant Davis provided an overview of Child Inc’s Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) programs, including highlights and areas in which the program needs additional support. Core Programs • City funding allows for Child Inc to provide after school care from 3-5 p.m. and summer camp programming, which the Head Start funding does not allow. Six slots are geared to expectant mothers, with priority for teenage pregnancies. Eligibility Requirements Center Locations • Families eligible for SNAP benefits are now eligible for Head Start. They do prioritize children in foster care and experiencing homelessness. • Child Inc Head Start has 12 stand-alone sites and other programs located at collaborating partner sites, including classrooms in Manor, Del Valle, and Austin ISDs. • Every 5 years they do a community assessment to determine location of services, especially in growing areas like Del Valle and Manor. Enrollment • 156 children enrolled for home-based services, 176 enrolled for center-based services. • They have the space and funding to cover the waitlist, but they do not have enough teachers to open additional classrooms. • Child Inc is looking to convert about 300 3- and 4-year-old slots to about 100 infant and toddler program slots because of the high competition in schools for the 3- and 4-year-old slots. Full Day Programming Supporting Working Families • Educational curriculum is used in afterschool and summer programs. Their Head Start program utilizes The Creative Curriculum and the Scholastic curriculum, as well as the Parents as …
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting Wednesday – June 8, 2022 – 6:30 PM City Hall – Boards and Commissions - Room 1101 301 W. 2nd Street - Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may 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. To register, contact Jesse Rodriguez at jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Steven Apodaca Dave Floyd Jennifer Ramos Sumit DasGupta Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Maxine Eiland Nicole Thompson AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –April 13, 2022 and May 11, 2022 2. 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. United Way presentation on ConnectATX (Anabella Tarango, Francisco Gallegos) 3. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission Discussion on FCC Broadband Standards (Discussion and Action) Action) Action) b. Commission Discussion on the Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan (Discussion and c. Commission Discussion on an Intelligent Infrastructure Resolution (Discussion and 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 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 Jesse Rodriguez at the Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs Department, at jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission, please contact Jesse Rodriguez at jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov
Household Broadband Guide Use the chart below to compare minimum download speed (Mbps) needs for light, moderate and high household use with one, two, three or four devices at a time (such as a laptop, tablet or game console). You can also compare typical online activities with the minimum Mbps needed for adequate performance for each application by using our Broadband Speed Guide. For more information on broadband speeds, see our Measuring Broadband America report. These numbers are rough guidelines and are not based on surveys or experiments conducted by the FCC. You should use your best judgment when choosing your broadband service. Moderate Use (Basic functions plus one high- Light Use demand application: streaming High Use (Basic functions: email, HD video, multiparty video (Basic functions plus more than browsing, basic video, VoIP, conferencing, online gaming, one high-demand application Internet radio) telecommuting) running at the same time) Basic Basic Medium Basic Medium Medium/Advanced Medium Medium Advanced Medium Advanced Advanced 1 user on 1 device 2 users or devices at a time 3 users or devices at a time 4 users or devices at a time Basic Service = 3 to 8 Mbps* Medium Service = 12 to 25 Mbps 1 Federal Communications Commission · Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau · 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) · TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) · www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau Advanced Service = More than 25 Mbps *Mbps (Megabits per second) is the standard measure of broadband speed. It refers to the speed with which information packets are downloaded from, or uploaded to, the internet. For more information on consumer issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer Help Center at www.fcc.gov/consumers. To request this article in an alternate format - braille, large print, Word or text document or audio - write or call us at the address or phone number at the bottom of the page, or send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov. Consumer Help Center Alternate formats Last Reviewed 02/05/20 Federal Communications Commission · Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau · 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) · TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) · www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau 2
Getting Broadband Q&A What Is broadband? Broadband or high-speed Internet access allows users to access the Internet and Internet-related services at significantly higher speeds than those available through "dial-up" services. Broadband speeds vary significantly depending on the technology and level of service ordered. Broadband services for residential consumers typically provide faster downstream speeds (from the Internet to your computer) than upstream speeds (from your computer to the Internet). How does it work? Broadband allows users to access information via the Internet using one of several high-speed transmission technologies. Transmission is digital, meaning that text, images, and sound are all transmitted as "bits" of data. The transmission technologies that make broadband possible move these bits much more quickly than traditional telephone or wireless connections, including traditional dial-up Internet access connections. What are its advantages? ▪ Broadband is an important tool for expanding educational and economic opportunities for consumers in remote locations. ▪ Broadband allows you to take advantage of services not available or not convenient to use with a dial-up Internet connection, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), an alternative to traditional voice telephone service. ▪ Broadband makes "telemedicine" possible: patients in rural areas can confer online with medical specialists in more urban areas and share information and test results very quickly. ▪ Broadband helps you efficiently access and use many reference and cultural resources via the Internet. ▪ You also need broadband to best take advantage of many distance learning opportunities, like online college or university courses, and continuing or senior education programs. ▪ Broadband allows you to shop online more quickly and efficiently. What types are available? Broadband can be provided over different platforms: ▪ Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) ▪ Cable Modem ▪ Fiber ▪ Wireless ▪ Satellite The broadband technology you choose will depend on a number of factors. These include how broadband Internet access is packaged with other services (like voice telephone and home entertainment), price and service availability. Federal Communications Commission · Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau · 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) · TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) · www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau 1 Digital subscriber line (DSL) DSL is a wireline transmission technology that transmits data faster over traditional copper telephone lines already installed to homes and businesses. The following are types of DSL transmission technologies: ▪ Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) – used primarily by residential customers. ADSL typically provides faster speed in …
