1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20211117 003a Date: November 17, 2021 Subject: Stillwater - Double Creek Phase 2, SP-2021-0178C Motion by: Kevin Ramberg RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting a variance from 25-8-261 to allow development in the Critical Water Quality Zone. WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in the Onion Creek, Suburban Watershed and Desired Development Zone; and Seconded by: Perry Bedford WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that Staff recommends this variance, (with two staff conditions) having determined the required Findings of Fact have been met. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the variance request with the following: Staff Conditions: 1. Internal low-traffic pedestrian walkways throughout the site shall be constructed with permeable pavers or porous pavement in accordance with the Environmental Criteria Manual, to decrease overall impervious cover and increase stormwater infiltration onsite and baseflow in the stream channel. 2. The critical water quality zone will be crossed with a span bridge design instead of the normal box culvert. This will allow for light to penetrate to the natural ground surface and for vegetation to grow thus maintaining a more natural stream channel. and the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. The project will use biofiltration in both water quality ponds onsite. 2. The pond will not occur in the inner half critical water quality zone. VOTE 8-0 For: Bedford, Qureshi, Thompson, Barrett Bixler, Bristol, Ramberg, Guerrero, and Brimer Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Scott Approved By: Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 2
BOND OVERSIGHT COMMISION 2022 APPROVED MEETING SCHEDULE LOCATION: CITY HALL TIME: 2-4 PM • January 19, 2022 • February 16, 2022 • March 16, 2022 • April 20, 2022 • May 18, 2022 • • June 15, 2022 July – No meeting • August – No meeting • September 21, 2022 • October 19, 2022 • November 16, 2022 • December – No meeting
Annual Internal Review Bond Oversight Commission This report covers the time period of 7/1/2020 to 6/30/2021 The Bond Oversight Commission (BOC) mission statement (per Ordinance No. 20150813-010) is: A. The council creates the Bond Oversight Commission to ensure efficiency, equity, timeliness, and accountability in the implementation of existing and future City bond programs. B. The Commission shall monitor the city manager’s plans relating to the issuance of bonds and the implementation of projects approved in bond elections, including the review of future potential bonds, the annual appropriation of bond funds, and any changes in the amount of bond funds issued or cash commitments made C. The mayor and council shall work with the commission to set priorities and goals of each new bond issue to be submitted to voters. D. The commission shall advise the council on proposed bonds and the implementation of projects approved in bond elections. E. The council shall appoint at least three members to the commission who have training or professional experience in financial matters. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. • Assess and monitor the delivery of current, ongoing bond programs (mission statements A, B and D) Throughout the last year, the BOC focused on the 2016 & 2018 Bond activities while monitoring any outstanding Bond programs: • Staff update on the 2012, 2016, and 2018 Mobility Bond Programs and Projects – July 15th • Staff update from Small and Minority Business Resources – July 15th Meeting • Staff updates from Parks and Recreation, Austin Public Health, and Watershed Protection on 2012 and 2018 Bond Programs – August 26th Meeting Meeting Prepared by Santiago Rodriguez Chair, Bond Oversight Commission • Staff update from Neighborhood Housing and Community Development about the Affordable Housing 2013 and 2018 Bond Programs – September 16th Meeting • Staff update on the Bond Oversight Commission staff briefings presentation template - September 16th Meeting • Staff update from Austin Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, and Austin Fire Department about the Public Safety 2006, 2012, and 2018 Bond Programs – October 21st Meeting • Staff update from the Austin Transportation Department and Public Works Department about the 2020 Mobility Bond (Proposition B) – January 20th Meeting • Staff update from the Austin Transportation Department, Corridor Program Office and Public …
C I T Y O F A U S T I N | N o v e m b e r 1 7 , 2 0 2 1 Bond Oversight Commission Bond Oversight Commission A G E N D A F Y 2 0 2 0- 2 1 Ye a r - E n d F i n a n c i a l R e p o r t 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 , a n d 2 0 2 0 B o n d s 2012 Voter-Approved Bonds • Proposition 12: Transportation and Mobility ($143.3 million) • Proposition 13: Open Space and Watershed Protection ($30.0 million) • Proposition 14: Parks and Recreation ($77.7 million) • Proposition 16: Public Safety ($31.1 million) • Proposition 17: Health and Human Services ($11.1 million) • Proposition 18: Library, Museum, & Cultural Arts Facilities ($13.4 million) 2012 Voter-Approved Bonds Grand Total: $306.7 million 2012 Voter-Approved Bonds Total Approved: $306.7 million Overall By Proposition $25.2 million remaining (8.2%) (10.4%) $160,000,000 $140,000,000 $120,000,000 $100,000,000 $80,000,000 $60,000,000 $40,000,000 $20,000,000 $0 (7.3%) (0%) (12.0%) (0.7%) (5.6%) Prop 12 Prop 13 Prop 14 Prop 16 Prop 17 Prop 18 Remaining $281.5 million obligated (91.8%) As of FY 2021 year-end 2016 Voter-Approved Bonds • Proposition 1 (Mobility Bond): $720,000,000 for improvements to Loop 360 corridor, Spicewood Springs Road, Old Bee Caves Road Bridge, Anderson Mill Road, intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, Parmer Lane, North Lamar Boulevard, Burnet Road, Airport Boulevard, East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/FM 969, South Lamar Boulevard, East Riverside Drive, Guadalupe Street, Slaughter Lane, William Cannon Drive, Rundberg Lane, East Colony Park Loop Road, South Congress Avenue, Manchaca and South Pleasant Valley Road; sidewalks, Safe Routes to School, urban trails, bikeways, fatality reduction strategies, and the following local mobility substandard streets/capital renewal projects: Falwell Lane, William Cannon Overpass Bridge, FM 1626, Cooper Lane, Ross Road, Circle S Road, Rutledge Spur, Davis Lane, Latta Drive/Brush Country, Johnny Morris Road, and Brodie Lane 2016 Voter-Approved Bonds Total Approved: $720.0 million Overall $273.1M obligated (37.9%) $446.9M remaining (62.1%) As of FY 2021 year-end 2018 Voter-Approved Bonds • Proposition A: Affordable Housing ($250.0 million) • Proposition B: Library, Museum, and Cultural Arts Facilities ($128.0 million) • Proposition C: Parks and Recreation ($149.0 million) • Proposition D: Flood Mitigation, Open Space, and Water Quality Protection (184.0 million) • Proposition …
SPECIAL EVENTS TASK FORCE - RECOMMENDATION 20211117-2A Date: 11/17/2021 Subject: Recommended Changes to the Special Events Ordinance Motioned By: Jeff Smith Recommendation: Modify sections 4-20-1 and 4-20-21 of City Code (Special Events) Description of Recommendation to Council: RECOMMENDATION #1 4-20-1 (14) SPECIAL EVENT means an event that Seconded By: Laurel White (a) Has 100 or more attendees per day 50 or more attendees at any time at a city facility, other than the Austin Convention Center, Long Center, City Hall, or Palmer Events Center; (b) Impacts a city street, sidewalk, alley, walkway, or other city public right-of-way other than as permitted under Chapter 14-6 (Temporary Street Closures); or (c) Is temporary, involves 100 or more attendees per day 50 or more attendees at any time; and (i.) (ii.) Is inconsistent with the permanent use to which the property may legally be used, or the occupancy levels permitted on the property; and Includes one of the following: set up of temporary structures, including, but not limited to, tents, stages, or fences; use of sound equipment in an area described in Section 4-20-43(A); or provision of food or beverages, including alcohol. RECOMMENDATION #2 4-20-21 CATEGORIES OF SPECIAL EVENTS (B) A Tier 2 event is a special event that: attendees per day; or (1) Is an assembly lasting at a city facility that estimates attendance at less than 2,500 (2) is an assembly lasting four days or less, that is held primarily on private property, and that estimates attendances at less than 2,500 attendees per day; or 1 of 2 (3) is stationary and impacts up to two blocks of a street sidewalk, or city right of way. RECOMMENDATION #3 4-20-21 CATEGORIES OF SPECIAL EVENTS (B) A Tier 2 event is a special event that: attendees per day; or at one time. (1) Is an assembly lasting at a city facility that estimates attendance at less than 2,500 (2) is an assembly that is held primarily on private property and that estimates attendances at less than 2,500 attendees per day; or at one time is stationary and impacts up to two blocks of a street sidewalk, or city right of way. Rationale: RECOMMENDATION #1 This change would bring the Special Events definition into alignment with the International Fire Code definition of an event. This would also expand the protections in Chapter 4-20 for applicants with event attendance from 50-99 people. RECOMMENDATIONS # 2 …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 17, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at City Hall in Council Chambers at 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Commissioners attending in person: Perry Bedford Haris Qureshi Rick Brimer Kevin Ramberg Linda Guerrero Jennifer Bristol Commissioner attending remotely: Audrey Barrett Bixler Pam Thompson Commissioners absent: Rachel Scott Staff in Attendance: Mel Fuechec Kaela Champlin Liz Johnston Mike McDougal Sara Hartley CALL TO ORDER Chair Guerrero called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers should sign up to speak prior to the meeting being called to order; you will receive a three-minute allotment to discuss topics not posted on the agenda. None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the November 3, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) A motion to approve the November 3, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Scott was absent. 1 2. 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Approve the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Schedule for 2022 A motion to approve the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Schedule for 2022 was approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Scott was absent. b. Hold an emergency election for vacant Environmental Commission officer positions for the May 2021 through April 2022 (10 minutes) Commissioner Bedford nominated Commissioner Ramberg for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Bristol nominated herself for Vice-Chair. Those voting for Commissioner Ramberg were: Commissioners Brimer, Ramberg, Guerrero, Qureshi, Bedford, Bixler, and Thompson. Commissioner Bristol voted for herself (7-1). Commissioner Ramberg nominated Commissioner Bristol for secretary. Those voting for Commissioner Bristol for secretary were Commissioners Bristol, Brimer, Ramberg, Guerrero, Qureshi, Bedford, Bixler, and Thompson (8-0). PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Name: Stillwater - Double Creek Phase 2, SP-2021-0178C Applicant: Lance Rosenfield, Malone Wheeler Inc Location: 10801 Brezza Lane, Austin, Texas, 78748 Council District: District 5 Watershed: Onion Creek, Suburban Watershed, Desired Development Zone Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 to allow development in the critical water Staff: Mel Fuechec, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, DSD quality zone. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance with conditions. (30 minutes) Speakers Michael Whellan Lance Rosenfield A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. A motion to recommend approval of …
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20211117-C-1 Subject: Request Office of City Clerk Reserve Austin City Hall per Adopted 2022 Meeting Schedule Motioned By: Commissioner Shieh Seconded By: Commissioner Schneider Date: November 17, 2021 Recommendation Planning Commission request Office of the City Clerk accept the adopted 2022 meeting schedule, per City Code, and reserve Austin City Hall meeting space accordingly. Description of Recommendation to Council 1. Austin City Code mandates the following, § 2-1-43 - MEETING REQUIREMENTS A board shall annually approve a regular meeting schedule and file the schedule with the Office of the City Clerk. 2. October 6, 2021 the Office of the City Clerk distributed the reminder for Boards and Commissions to adopt their annual meeting schedule and provided the reservation form to reserve Austin City Hall. The email in part reads, “City Hall is at capacity – priority is given to meetings that have historically met in a specific room during a specific date/time”. 3. November 9, 2021, acting on the authority and requirement of City Code, by affirmative vote, the Planning Commission in acknowledging meeting notice requirements per Government Code Chapter 551 (Open Meetings Act), adopted their 2022 meeting schedule to include date, hour and place. The adopted schedule was submitted to the Office of the City Clerk. 4. November 10, 2021, the Office of the City Clerk failed to administratively recognize the Planning Commission adopted meeting schedule by informing the commission Austin City Hall will not be reserved according to the adopted meeting schedule, only citing a City management dicision. 5. November 17, 2021, in response to the Office of the City Clerk’s failure to reserve Austin City Hall and for the reasons provided in the recommendation, the Planning Commission again requests the Office of the City Clerk reserve Austin City Hall per the adopted the 2022 meeting schedule. Vote : 8-0 For: Chair Shaw, Vice-Chair Hempel and Commissioners Azhar, Cox, Flores, Schneider, Shieh and Thompson. Absent: Commissioners Connolly, Howards, Mushtaler, Praxis and Llanes Pulido Against: None Abstain: None Attest: Andrew D. Rivera Liaison to Planning Commission THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN Resolution to Schedule Planning Commission Meetings at Austin City Hall WHEREAS, the Planning Commission is established by Charter. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission receives authority and direction from State Law, City Charter, City Code and Planning Commission Rules of Procedure. WHEREAS, the City Charter establishes the membership of the commission to include the …
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES November 17, 2021 The Planning Commission convened in a meeting on November 17, 2021 in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas and via videoconference @ http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Chair Shaw called the Commission Meeting to order at 4:16 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Awais Azhar Grayson Cox Yvette Flores Claire Hempel – Vice-Chair Robert Schneider James Shieh Todd Shaw – Chair Jeffrey Thompson Jessica Cohen – Ex-Officio Absent: Joao Paulo Connolly Patrick Howard Jennifer Mushtaler Solveij Rosa Praxis Carmen Llanes Pulido Arati Singh – Ex-Officio Richard Mendoza – Ex-Officio CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the commencement of the meeting will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of November 9, 2021. Motion to approve minutes of November 9, 2021 was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Shieh, seconded by Commissioner Schneider on a vote of 8-0. Commissioners Connolly, Howard, Mushtaler, Praxis and Llanes Pulido absent. B. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Plan Amendment: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: NPA-2021-0011.02 - Amaya Building Project; District 4 5804 North Interstate 35 Hwy SB, Tannehill Branch Creek Watershed; North Loop NP Area Roberto Amaya AKA R. Felix, Inc. Candelario Moreno Commercial to Mixed Use land use Recommended Maureen Meredith, (512) 974-2695, maureen.meredith@austintexas.gov Housing and Planning Department Public Hearing closed. Motion to grant Staff’s recommendation of Mixed Use land use for NPA-2021-0011.02 - Amaya Building Project located at 5804 North Interstate 35 Hwy SB was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Shieh, seconded by Commissioner Schneider on a vote of 8-0. Commissioners Connolly, Howard, Mushtaler, Praxis and Llanes Pulido absent. 2. Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: C14-2021-0162 - Amaya’s Building Project; District 4 5804 N IH 35 SVRD SB, Tannehill Branch Creek Watershed; North Loop NP Area Roberto C Amaya, INC Moreno Development Services (Candelario Moreno) CS-CO-NP to CS-MU-CO-NP Recommended Kate Clark, 512-974-1237, kate.clark@austintexas.gov Housing and Planning Department Public Hearing closed. Motion to grant Staff’s recommendation of CS-MU-CO-NP combining district zoning for C14-2021-0162 - Amaya’s Building Project located at 5804 North Interstate 35 Hwy SB was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Shieh, seconded by Commissioner Schneider on a vote of 8-0. Commissioners Connolly, Howard, Mushtaler, Praxis and …
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION November 16, 2021 6:30 p.m. Austin Energy Headquarters; 1st Floor; Shudde Fath Conference Room 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, Texas 78723 (Note: Some members of the Resource Management Commission maybe participating by videoconference.) AGENDA Members: Jonathan Blackburn, Chair (District 8) Kaiba White, Vice Chair (District 2) Sam Angoori (District 3) Shane Johnson (District 4) Tom “Smitty” Smith (District 5) Louis Stone (District 6) Kelly Davis (District 7) Dana Harmon (District 9) Rebecca Brenneman (District 10) Lisa Chavarria (Mayor) Vacancy (District 1) For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/rmc CALL MEETING TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speaker must be present and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve minutes of the August 17, 2021 Meeting of the Resource Management 2. Approve minutes of the September 21, 2021 Meeting of the Resource Management Commission. Commission. STAFF REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS 3. Generation Portfolio Announcement Briefing. ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS 4. Briefing from Arushi Frank of the ERCOT Innovation Caucus on demand response technologies and opportunities. (Sponsors: Blackburn; Chavarria) 5. Discussion and possible action regarding forming a Fayette Power Plant Resource Plan Working Group jointly with the EUC. (Sponsors: Blackburn; Chavarria) 6. Discussion and possible action regarding a resolution on the Texas Gas Service Conservation Programs. (Sponsors: Stone; Harmon) 7. Discussion and possible action regarding a resolution on the establishment of a community benefit charge for Texas Gas Service. (Sponsors: Stone; Harmon) T he 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 at least two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. T T Y users route through Relay T exas at 711. For more information on the Resource Management Commission , please call Natasha Goodwin (512) 322-6505. OTHER BUSINESS 8. Discussion and possible recommendation to Council on CenterPoint Energy Resources Corporation proposed Energy Efficiency Rate Tariff (Rate Schedule EE- Austin). 9. Discussion and possible action regarding the 2022 Resource Management Commission Meeting Schedule. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 10. Discuss potential future agenda items. ADJOURN T he 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 …
RMC Monthly Report October 2021 FY22 Water Conservation Division City of Austin | Austin Water s t i n U f o r e b m u N 400 300 200 100 0 Residential Program Participation, FYTD FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 253 200 153 163 119 122 12 15 8 2 29 20 31 7 17 13 11 15 0 11 Watering Timer Irrigation Upgrade Irrigation Audits Rainwater Harvesting WaterWise Landscape + Rainscape RMC Monthly Report – October 2021 02 s t i n U f o r e b m u N 60 50 40 30 20 0 Commercial & Multifamily Program Participation, FYTD FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 54 10 8 11 1 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 Commercial Audit Commercial Process Rebates Commercial Kitchen Rebates Rainwater Harvesting RMC Monthly Report – October 2021 03 $450,000 $400,000 $350,000 $300,000 $ e v i t n e c n I $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 Rebates and Incentives Budget, FYTD FY22 Total Budget Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 $420,000 $245,000 $65,000 $- $- $12,604.98 Commercial Commercial Multi-Family Multi-Family Residential Residential RMC Monthly Report – October 2021 04 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Water Waste/Watering Restrictions Enforcement Activity, FYTD Warnings Issued and 311 Reports 104 45 Oct Warnings 311 Reports Current Drought Response Stage: Conservation Stage RMC Monthly Report – October 2021 05 Regulated Compliance Program Activity, October 3086 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 230 182 25 235 57 Commercial Facility Irrigation Assessments Commercial Vehicle Wash Facility Efficiency Assessment Cooling Tower Efficiency Assessments Compliant Non-Compliant RMC Monthly Report – October 2021 06 Total Public Outreach Activity, FYTD Populations Reached FY21 FY22 Number of Events FY21 FY22 3 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 0 0 0 1,560 0 0 0 Community Events School Presentations Community Events School Presentations RMC Monthly Report – October 2021 07 Total Social Media Activity, FYTD Oct s n o i t c a r e t n I f o r e b m u N 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Facebook Twitter Monthly activity by platform Instagram RMC Monthly Report – October 2021 08 Reclaimed Water Usage G M 1,800.00 1,600.00 1,400.00 1,200.00 1,000.00 800.00 600.00 400.00 200.00 0.00 Quarter IV Quarter III Quarter II Quarter I FY16 429.05 336.04 …
Draft Resolution/Recommendation for November 16, 2021 RMC Whereas the Austin City Council unanimously approved the 2030 Austin Energy Generation Plan in March of 2020, which commits Austin Energy to a zero-carbon goal by 2035; Whereas a key strategy of the 2030 Plan, as well as previous plans such as the 2014 and 2017 Generation Plans, was to commit Austin Energy to cease the burning of coal at the portion of the Fayette Coal Plant owned by Austin Energy by the end of 2022: Whereas Austin Energy has been working on negotiating a solution with the Lower Colorado River Authority, which co-own the plant for several years; Whereas Austin Energy, after consulting with City Council, officially announced on November 1st, 2021 that it had been unable to reach a reasonable and beneficial agreement with LCRA on how to assure retirement of either one unit at Fayette, or a virtual retirement of the approximately 600 MWs of coal owned by Austin Energy by the end of 2022; Whereas emissions of carbon dioxide from the Fayette Power Plant account for approximately 80% of the emissions controlled by Austin Energy and there is no way to meet the goals of the Austin Energy 2030 Resource Plan without ending our use of coal; Whereas on November 8th, the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) voted to form its own Fayette Power Plant Resource plan working group, with an option to collaborate with the RMC if it forms a similar working group; Therefore, Resolved, the Resource Management Commission forms a Fayette Power Plant Resource Plan Working Group that will collaborate with Austin Energy and the Electric Utility Commission to explore options for reducing and ending our use of coal as soon as possible, including, but not limited to: Continued negotiations with the LCRA to either shut down a unit at Fayette, or virtually shut down the equivalent amount of coal-fired power plants through running the unit less by the end of 2022, or another date in the near future, such as 2023 or 2024; Expanded use of REACH to bid into the market at a higher price, and therefore reduce the use of coal; Expansion of zero-carbon resources such as solar and storage at or near the Fayette plant to help in the transition away from coal sooner. Resolved, the RMC working group can meet in person or virtually with members of the EUC to discuss these options, …
DRAFT RESOLUTION FOR COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF TEXAS GAS SERVICE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS WHEREAS, energy-efficiency programs should be designed to save energy at less than the cost of purchasing it; and WHEREAS, with the exception of the low-income weatherization program, all of Austin Energy’s 18 other energy-efficiency programs are cost effective, with a positive economic Benefit/Cost ratio for Total Resource Cost; and WHEREAS, several of the energy-efficiency incentive programs operated by Texas Gas Service are not cost effective, resulting in imprudent expenditures billed to Residential ratepayers in Central Texas of as much as $1.9 million a year, or about $8 a year per customer; and WHEREAS, the flat-rate Conservation Adjustment Clause that is currently funding the Texas Gas Service energy-efficiency programs is regressive. This regressive rate has a detrimental impact on the poor and discourages energy conservation compared to fees imposed on the volume of gas consumed; and WHEREAS, a rate to fund conservation programs that is renewed every year rather than every three years is likely to be more sensitive to market changes and necessary program adjustments; THEN BE IT RESOLVED, that the Resource Management Commission make the following recommendations to the Austin City Council. 1. No energy-efficiency incentive program run by Texas Gas Service should have a Benefit/Cost ratio for Total Resource Cost lower than 1.0 unless the programs are designated specifically for low-income customers or are pilot programs lasting no longer than one year. Cost effectiveness tests will be conducted by the staff that Austin Energy designates to conduct cost-effectiveness for its own energy efficiency programs, with reimbursement from Texas Gas Service for City staff time. Programs that currently fail this Benefit/Cost benchmark include incentives in both existing and new Residential buildings for high-efficiency central furnaces, tankless water heaters, and gas clothes dryers that replace gas clothes dryers. 2. Beginning in 2021, the Texas Gas Service Conservation Adjustment Clause should be funded by a one-year tariff instead of a three-year tariff. 3. Beginning in 2021, the Texas Gas Service Conservation Adjustment Clause should be funded by a surcharge on each unit of gas sold and not as a flat regressive monthly fee. 4. Beginning in 2022, Texas Gas Service should make the cost of all of its individual incentives transparent to the greatest extent possible while still protecting customer privacy.
DRAFT RESOLUTION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT CHARGE FOR TEXAS GAS SERVICE WHEREAS, Texas Gas Service and the other gas utilities that serve Austin have no effective plan for use of low-carbon fuel; and WHEREAS, many types of biogenic gas such derived from landfills and composting are not cost-effective compared to current gas prices for utility use, and serve as a diversion to pursue other gas alternatives; and WHEREAS, Research & Development are necessary to create “solar fuel” alternatives derived from wind and solar energy; and WHEREAS, there are gas utilities currently making R&D investments in low-carbon alternatives; and WHEREAS, Texas Gas Service and the other gas utilities that serve Austin are not spending the amounts of money necessary to assist a substantial number of low- income customers with their bills; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy and Austin Water spend substantial amounts of money to provide equity in utility costs; and WHEREAS, equity in utility costs is one on the City of Austin’s core community values, and WHEREAS, Austin Energy has a Community Benefit Charge that includes clean energy funding as well as low-income assistance; THEN BE IT RESOLVED, that the Resource Management Commission make the following recommendations to the Austin City Council. 1. The City of Austin, as Texas Gas Service’s primary regulator within the city limits, establish a Community Benefit Charge for the gas company that funds cost- effective energy-efficiency programs, R&D for solar fuels; and customer assistance to income-qualified low-income customers. 2. Some of the money saved by elimination of funding for Residential energy- efficiency programs that are not cost effective be used to fund this Community Benefit Charge; and a similar Charge for Commercial and Industrial customers be established. 3. The City of Austin should begin the process of establishing a Community Benefit Charge for its customers of the other gas utilities that serve the Austin city limits, as well as identifying appropriate programs that will be funded in their service areas. 4. The City’s Office of Sustainability or Austin Energy’s Technology office will direct the expenditure of solar fuel R&D funds collected though this Charge. 5. Texas Gas Service will coordinate with the managers of Austin Energy’s Customer Assistance Program to reduce administrative costs and duplication of efforts for its bill assistance program. 6. The Community Benefit Charge will be funded by a one-year tariff that is annually approved by City Council.
