Regular Called Meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 6:30pm City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room 1101 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, Texas Some members of the Economic Prosperity Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Ryan Sperling, 512- 874-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Michael Nahas, Chair Rodrigo Cantu Aaron Gonzales Amy Noel Amy Rister Ofelia Zapata Luis Osta Lugo, Vice Chair Laura Dixon Kelsey Hitchingham Christina Ponder Raquel Valdez Sanchez AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Meeting on February 19, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion on the long-term goals and strategic planning of the Economic Prosperity Commission. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendation from the Small Business Working Group regarding language access for small businesses. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a recommendation to City Council for the FY2025-26 budget to increase funding of language access resources for small businesses. Approve recommendations to City Council regarding the FY2025-26 budget as it relates to the Economic Prosperity Commission WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update from the Childcare working group regarding a survey of recent license recipients. 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 contact Ryan Sperling, Office of the City Clerk at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Economic Prosperity Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission March 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will 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 via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, no later than noon the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Justin Fleury Mariana Krueger Melinda Schiera Hanna Cofer, Vice Chair Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary David Sullivan Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, Chair CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 5, 2025 1 1. DISCUSSION ITEMS Recognition of Perry Bedford for his service on the Environmental Commission – Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department Presentation and discussion regarding guiding principles and scoring criteria for the 2026 Bond – Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer, and Kelly Gagnon, Planner Principal, Watershed Protection Department DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation on Watershed Protection Department's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, Programs, and Projects Overview and approve recommendations for their FY26 budget — Anupa Gharpurey, Financial Manager, and Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer, Watershed Protection Department Discussion and recommendation on budget priorities from the Joint Sustainability Committee – Harris Qureshi and Perry Bedford, Environmental Commissioners 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 …
1. 2. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 5, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Richard Brimer, Justin Fleury, Mariana Krueger, Colin Nickells, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None Commissioners Absent: Jennifer Bristol, Hanna Cofer, Melinda Schiera PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on February 19, 2025 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on February 19, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Schiera was off the dais. Commissioners Bristol, Cofer, and Schiera were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS Recognition of Colin Nickells for his service on the Environmental Commission – Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Recognition of Melinda Schiera for her service on the Environmental Commission – Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department Item was postponed to the next meeting. 1 Presentation and discussion on Austin Energy Green Building – Heidi Kasper, Energy Efficiency Services Director, Austin Energy Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and recommendation on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Austin Light Rail – Commissioners Sullivan and Qureshi A motion to recommend the draft environmental impact statement for Austin Light Rail failed on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second, on a 5-1 vote. Commissioner Brimer voted against. Commissioner Qureshi abstained. Commissioners Bristol, Cofer, and Schiera were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Qureshi requested to add budget recommendations from the Joint Sustainability Committee to the budget meeting. This request was seconded by Bedford Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 7:32 pm without objection. 4. 5. 2
Guiding Principles & Technical Criteria for the 2026 Bond Development Program N I T S U A F O Y T I C Environmental Commission Meeting March 19, 2025 Kelly Gagnon, Principal Planner Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Presentation Overview 2 N I T S U A F O Y T I C 1. Introduction to the Watershed Protection Department (WPD) 2. WPD & General Obligation (G.O.) Bond History 3. 2026 Bond Development Process & Guiding Principles 4. WPD Technical Criteria for 2026 Bond Development W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 3 Watershed Protection Department (WPD): Mission To protect the lives, property, and environment of our community by reducing the impacts of flooding, erosion, and water pollution. N I T S U A F O Y T I C W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 4 N I T S U A F O Y T I C WPD: Funding Sources Operations • Drainage Utility Charge • Other Fees and Interest Income Capital Program • Cash transfer from Operations • G.O. Bonds • Grants • Tax Increment Financing • Regional Stormwater Management Program (RSMP) & Urban Structural Control Fund (USCF) Payments W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 5 N I T S U A F O Y T I C WPD: Strategic Plan “Worst Problems First” • Defines mission • Sets goals + objectives • Defines “Problem Score” methodologies for prioritization • Commits to data and asset management • Shares our solutions inventory • Defines framework to identify “preferred solutions” • Sets recommendations W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 6 WPD: Strategic Plan Needs Assessment Over $2 billion needed to solve the most severe watershed problems and critical asset management …
N I T S U A F O Y T I C Watershed Protection Department FY25 Budget, Programs, and Projects Environmental Commission Meeting March 19, 2025 Anupa Gharpurey, Assistant Director, Business Enterprises Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer, Project Design & Delivery W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 2 Overview N I T S U A F O Y T I C • Mission & Organizational Structure • FY25 Budget Highlights • Programmatic Activities • Capital Improvement Program • Project Highlights • Resources W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 3 N I T S U A F O Y T I C Mission & Organizational Structure W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 4 Our Start: Established in 1991, Watershed Protection Department was charged with the goal of managing the City’s creeks, drainage systems and water quality programs. Our Mission: “…to protect the lives, property, and environment of our community by reducing the impact of floods, erosion, and water pollution.” Our Funding: Primary Source: Drainage Charge - >94% Other sources: Bonds (for Capital Projects), Development Fees, Interest Income, Grants N I T S U A F O Y T I C W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 5 Current Organizational Structure N I T S U A F O Y T I C W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 6 FY25 Financial Structure Watershed Protection Total FTEs: 442.5 Monitoring, Modeling and Compliance FTEs: 105.5 Project Design & Delivery FTEs: 62 Field Operations FTEs: 173 Business Enterprises FTEs: 102 W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I …
North Lamar and South Congress Station Area Vision Plans SAPJC Briefing Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Agenda 1 What is ETOD? 2 What’s an ETOD Station Area? 3 Station Area Vision Plans 4 Next Steps 5 Discussion What is ETOD? What is ETOD? ETOD is an approach to planning that puts housing, jobs, services, and retail near public transit stations. This makes it easier for people to get to these places using public transit and creates walkable neighborhoods with a range of services. Supporting Equitable Outcomes —it ETOD goes beyond just thinking about focuses also on the in these places, especially those who have been left out of past planning efforts. Project Connect and ETOD 2020 2021 Voters overwhelmingly approve Project Connect CapMetro ETOD study (funded by FTA) 2023 City Council accepts ETOD Policy Plan *FTA- The ETOD Policy Plan • Informed by CapMetro’s ETOD Study • Direction to staff to initiate Station Area Planning, Imagine Austin amendments, and Land Development Code amendments • Direction to create an ETOD Implementation Plan as a short- term work program What are the ETOD Goals? The plan has six key goals created with the help from the community. Enable all residents to benefit from safe, sustainable, and accessible transportation Help to close racial health and wealth gaps Preserve and increase housing opportunities that are affordable and attainable Expand access to high-quality jobs and career opportunities Support healthy neighborhoods that meet daily needs Expand Austin’s diverse cultural heritage and small, BIPOC-owned, and legacy businesses What is an ETOD Station Area? Station Area Planning and ETOD Station Area Planning is a community-driven approach to crafting a vision for the area surrounding a transit station. North Lamar Transit Center Station Area South Congress Transit Center Station Area Station Areas Engagement Timeline Round 1 Engagement Round 2 Engagement Round 3 Engagement Spring 2023 Fall 2023 Fall 2024 Engagement The Vision Plans North Lamar & South Congress Transit Centers Station Area Vision Plans North Lamar Transit Center ETOD Typologies North Lamar Transit Center Station Area NLTC Concept Plan NLTC Vision Plan and Future Land Use Map South Congress Transit Center ETOD Typologies South Congress Transit Center Station Area SCTC Vision Plan and Future Land Use Map What makes ETOD Equitable? ETOD advocates that people of all incomes and backgrounds experience benefits from dense, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development near transit hubs. Creating & Preserving Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Supporting Small Businesses Creating …
U T U university tenants union uttenantsunion@gmail.com I bit.ly/universitytenantsunion I @uttenantsunion DosporUNO 2 Recommendations to Optimize the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) for Austin Student-Renters Executive Summary The University Tenants Union (UTU) is an organization composed of University of Texas at Austin (UT) students which formed following advocacy by its founding members for the elimination of construction of windowless bedrooms in Austin in 2023. Since, UTU has provided resources to student-renters navigating off-campus living, gathered data on student housing needs, and continued its policy advocacy. Updating the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) provides a unique policy opportunity in Texas to institute tenant protections for students that are otherwise not feasible. UTU, through deep, ongoing engagement with students, developed two recommendations for UNO to protect student-tenants against exploitation by landlords. Through their implementation, the City of Austin (CoA) can improve students’ housing experiences, and in turn their academic performance. When students have adequate housing, their potential surges. UTU recommends that CoA adopt the following recommendations: 1. Limit Pre-leasing: ● Limit lease renewal offers to 6 months before a lease ends, with a guaranteed 30-day response window. ● Limit new lease signings to 5 months before the lease start date. ● Ban pre-leasing agreements, waiting lists, and any incentives or penalties that pressure tenants into quick decisions. ● Enforce violations with fines. 2. Hold Landlords Accountable for Delayed Move-ins: ● As part of an UNO-specific lease addendum, require a disclosure if a unit’s construction is incomplete or if the unit lacks a certificate of occupancy. ● As a renter’s move-in date approaches, if their leased unit’s certificate of occupancy has not been obtained, landlords must notify the renter between 60 and 90 days before the lease start date. ● In case of a delayed move-in, renters may: terminate the lease without fees OR not pay rent and be compensated for living expenses until they can move in OR choose to accept alternate accommodations from their landlord. UTU looks forward to the adoption of these protections, and will advocate for their future adoption citywide and retroactively (at older UNO-participating properties). Please contact Justin Lanier, Policy Director with any questions: jlanier@utexas.edu | uttenantsunion@gmail.com You can find more information about the University Tenants Union at: bit.ly/universitytenantsunion Engagement and Research These recommendations were developed in collaboration with numerous students, educators, and subject matter experts in the fields of architecture, law, housing, economics, policy development, advocacy, and more. Over …
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250319-005 Date: March 19, 2025 Subject: City’s FY 2025 – 2026 Budget Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendation Reduce risk by moving from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined contribution. Description of Recommendation to Council Remove risk by changing our retirement programs from pensions and post-employment healthcare to defined-contribution programs. Remove risk by paying a third party to accept Austin’s existing pension and post-employment healthcare liabilities. Payment could be either a series of future annual payments or an immediate payment, using funds raised by General Obligations bonds. Rationale: The City of Austin currently promises pensions and post-retirement healthcare to its employees. That is, we specify benefits after they retire for as long as they live. This sounds nice, but the hard truth is that we do not know the financial future. We do not know the price today of those promises. Those promises have already created a gigantic problem. The 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the City of Austin says our unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities for the pension are $2,294,789,000. For post-employment benefits (which is mostly healthcare) it is $1,851.879,000. And that’s just the government side. The enterprises have an additional $2,610,485,000 in pension and post-employment liabilities. If we spent all of our property tax paying off the government liability, it would take 4 years. This gigantic problem may grow larger. Consider the data on page 56 of the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for COAERS, the City of Austin Employee’s Retirement System. The current outstanding liabilities are calculated assuming a 6.75% return by their investments. If the return is just 1% less, the liabilities increase by 30%. 1 of 3 This problem hurts us right now. Page 34 of the 2024-25 budget says we paid $151,781,000 to pay down just 1/30th of the liability. Austin’s government charged a family of four more than $50 per month not to provide services, but just to pay down a tiny fraction of our $4 billion debt. Pensions and healthcare promises are dangerous. They crippled America’s car industry. They almost ended America’s steel industry. Multiple cities have declared bankruptcy due to the burdens of pension and healthcare. Detroit, Michigan, which was the fastest growing city in America in its heyday, went bankrupt due to pensions. Pension programs and healthcare promises can harm more than the City of Austin; they might harm our employees in the future who would be …
AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER REDEVELOPMENT Draft/Confidential PROJECT Introduction Draft/Confidential Austin is the 11th largest city in the country. But the Austin Convention Center is only the 61st largest. Draft/Confidential 3 Once the redevelopment is complete, we expect the Austin Convention Center to be around the 35th largest in the country. Draft/Confidential 4 The redeveloped Austin Convention Center will be larger than: Charlotte Fort Worth Baltimore Nashville Kansas City Pittsburgh Draft/Confidential Austin’s new competitive set San Antonio Boston Seattle Philadelphia Denver Draft/Confidential Big changes are coming Draft/Confidential PROJECT SCOPE Draft/Confidential Numbers CONSTRUCTION COST $1.26B RENTABLE SPACE AREAS EXISTING CONVENTION CENTER 365,000 SF NEW CONVENTION CENTER INDOOR + OUTDOOR 550,000 + 70,000 SF Draft/Confidential PROJECT GOALS Draft/Confidential Austin City Council Resolution NO. 20210610-096 The City Council seeks to work with the prime architecture firm capable of delivering a world class design befitting a city of Austin’s size and prominence. The Convention Center design shall incorporate the most innovative ideas in programming and placemaking and shall aim to create a civic building that draws and serves Austinites as well as visitors. The City council affirms its intention that the convention Center be, like its companion civic building to the west, the Austin Central Library, a landmark of great distinction, a bustling and vital public gathering place, and a point of pride for the community. Draft/Confidential Uniquely Austin Draft/Confidential SUSTAINABILITY Draft/Confidential Net Zero Carbon Green Building • ILFI Zero Carbon Certification • Net Zero Operational Carbon • Embodied Carbon Reduction • LEED Gold • AEGB 3-Star Generational project that is transforming the Austin market for: • high performance design • low-carbon concrete + steel • construction salvage + reuse • mass timber Draft/Confidential RECONNECTING AUSTIN Draft/Confidential Intersection of Past, Present, and Future Draft/Confidential Connections Urban to Landscape Draft/Confidential Landmark Buildings Central Library City Hall Convention Center Draft/Confidential PRESENTING Draft/Confidential Repairing Waller Grid Draft/Confidential Future Expansion Outdoor Event + The Warehouse • Enhance Connections and Movements • Flexible Event & Gathering Places • Abundant Shade & Comfort • Reflect History of the Site and Materials • Extension of Warehouse District Scale THE BACK YARD R E H T A G FESTIVAL E D A N E M O R P THE WAREHOUSE DISPLAY DROP-OFF BACKYAR D PROMENADE WAREHOUSE EXHALL TRINITY NECHES RED RIVER Outdoor Event Plaza Outdoor Event Plaza Draft/Confidential The Hub West and East • Reconcile the Downtown Urban Grid • Break the scale of …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250319-004 Date: March 19, 2025 Subject: Watershed Protection Department FY 2026-2027 Budget, Programs, and Projects Motion by: Jennifer Bristol Seconded by: David Sullivan WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission was presented the Watershed Protection Department’s (WPD) Fiscal year 2025 budget; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission understands the Watershed Protection Department’s (WPD) annual Financial Forecast is still being prepared and the final plan will be provided to Council in near future; and THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission supports the Watershed Protection Department’s Budget, Programs, and Projects as presented to the Commission with the following recommendations: • Invest in design development for priority identified drainage and stormwater projects that might be eligible for a future bond package. For: Hanna Cofer, Jennifer Bristol, Richard Brimer, Justin Fleury, Ashika Ganguly, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan VOTE 8-0 Against: None Recuse: None Abstain: None Approved By: Absent: Isabella Changsut and Melinda Schiera Elizabeth Funk, Environmental Commission Liaison
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 19, 2025 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at City Hall, 301W 2nd St, in a hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE Ed Ishmael, Vice-Chair David Carroll Liz Coufal Kimberly Levinson Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Anne-Charlotte Patterson Nelly Paulina Ramírez Spencer Schumacher CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Ishmael called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:31 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on February 19, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on February 19, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Peveto’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Breton was absent. Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 19, 2025 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the recent work towards renovating the Austin Convention Center. Presentation by Trisha Tatro, Director, Austin Convention Center Department. The presentation was made by Katy Zamesnik, Assistant Director, Austin Convention Center, and Riley Triggs, Capital Delivery Consultant, Capital Delivery Services Department. 3. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Historic Resource Survey by the Historic Preservation Office. Presentation by Sofia Wagner, Planner III, Planning Department. The presentation was made by Sofia Wagner, Planner III, Planning Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS Item 5 was taken up before Item 4 without objection. 5. Update from the liaison from the Urban Transportation Commission on Recommendation Number 20250304-003: Austin Core Transportation Plan and Recommendation Number 20250304-006: Austin Light Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Discussed. 4. Update from the liaison from the Parks and Recreation Board on the topics discussed at the January 2025, and February 2025, board meetings. Discussed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS University Neighborhood Overlay Officer Elections Shared Micromobility Program Homeless Office Update Downtown Austin Plan Update Red River Cultural District ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Breton was absent. The minutes were approved at the April 16, 2025, meeting on Commissioner Peveto’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Coufal was off the dais. Commissioner Shifferd was absent.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 19, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Cofer called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Hanna Cofer, Richard Brimer, Justin Fleury, Ashika Ganguly, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jennifer Bristol Commissioners Absent: Isabella Changsut, Melinda Schiera PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Paul Gosselink, Development on Shoal Creek APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 5, 2025 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 5, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was off the dais. Commissioners Changsut and Schiera were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Recognition of Perry Bedford for his service on the Environmental Commission – Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Presentation and discussion regarding guiding principles and scoring criteria for the 2026 Bond – Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer, and Kelly Gagnon, Planner Principal, Watershed Protection Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Presentation on Watershed Protection Department's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, Programs, and Projects Overview and approve recommendations for their FY26 budget — Anupa Gharpurey, Assistant Director, and Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer, Watershed Protection Department A motion to recommend priorities for Watershed Protection Department’s 2026 budget passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Changsut and Schiera were absent. Discussion and recommendation on budget priorities from the Joint Sustainability Committee – Harris Qureshi and Perry Bedford, Environmental Commissioners A motion to postpone the Joint Sustainability Committee’s 2026 budget priorities to the April 2nd meeting passed on Commissioner Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Bristol’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Changsut and Schiera were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sullivan requested an agenda item to appoint a commissioner to the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. Elizabeth Funk (Watershed Protection) stated that committee appointments will bee on the April 2nd meeting. Commissioner Brimer mentioned that the Urban Forestry Committee will also need new members. Secretary Bristol reminded the commission that officer elections will also be held at the April 2nd meeting. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Cofer adjourned the meeting at 8:26 pm without objection. The …
