DRAFT Moving the Americans with Disabilities Act Program Into the Civil Rights Office WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act has already been passed and signed into law by the United States explicitly, and publically as a “civil rights act” for people with disabilities in respect to employment, housing, voting, education, transportation, and public accommodations access; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is a local government covered under Section II of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act fully and explicitly covers all people with disabilities inside the City of Austin including those who were never employed, cannot work, and/or do not wish to be employed by the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act deliberately refers to a specific federal civil rights act with specific local responsibilities; and WHEREAS, Americans with Disabilities Act coverage is not something which somebody must first earn or accrue in order to receive civil rights coverage from municipalities; and WHEREAS the Americans with Disabilities Act Program is the only entity in the City of Austin authorized to evaluate and provide “reasonable accommodation” requests from all requesting people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act; and WHERAS, all people with disabilities needing “reasonable accommodations” to successfully access and receive City of Austin programs, services, and events are still instructed to contact the Americans with Disabilities Act Program; and WHEREAS, the accommodation process for Austin, Texas residents with disabilities is already publically described on official City of Austin publications including City website and social media; and WHEREAS, the Civil Rights Office was established in January 2021 specifically to provide a centralized location for all civil rights acts in the City of Austin, and this centralized location for civil rights coverage should also include a comprehensive civil rights act which explicitly covers and protects the civil rights of all people with disabilities; and WHEREAS, the Civil Rights Office current responsibilities includes enforcement of employment non‐ discrimination ordinances and HIV/AIDS, all of which is already specifically covered under the ADA; and WHERAS, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities was proactively and explicitly transferred to the Civil Rights Office April 2021 while the ADA Program remained behind in Human Resources; and WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities commissioners are not permitted to grant “reasonable accommodations” requests from individuals with disabilities seeking access to City services or resources; this …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20210301‐2b: Funding for Healthcare Navigation and Liaison Programs Benefiting Austin’s Immigrant Communities WHEREAS, immigrant communities in the City of Austin report a need for healthcare access services that remove language barriers and help navigate administrative healthcare systems; and WHEREAS, targeted community health navigation programs provide access to city and local health and wellness resources through patient advocacy, health navigation education, self‐sufficiency resources, interpretation/translation support, referrals to local resources, and eligibility & application assistance; and WHEREAS, programs already exist including the Austin Asian Community Health Initiative and the Latino Healthcare Forum’s PromoSalud program, among others, providing these resources to local Spanish‐ speaking, Chinese, Burmese, Korean, Nepali, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Syrian, Iraqi, and other Arabic speaking communities; and WHEREAS, some of these programs, namely, the Arabic and Chinese programs, run through the Austin Asian Community Health Initiative, are presently funded by emergency grants that will expire; and WHEREAS, the community identified a need to maintain and continue all existing programs permanently, and to expand current services to additional communities and initiatives; and WHEREAS, the Commission recognizes the public health benefit of these services to the City’s immigrant communities and the community at large, particularly during the global pandemic; and WHEREAS, some of these programs are already receiving funding from Austin Public Health, demonstrating the City also values these services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends the City increase its funding to permanently maintain existing health navigation and liaison programs, and that Austin Public Health seek additional opportunities to fund these initiatives and partner with the local organizations providing these services. Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 9‐0 vote with Samuel Adair and Glenn Rosales absent Date of Approval: March 1, 2021 Attest: DRAFT Staff Liaison DRAFT
DRAFT LOCAL SUPPORT FOR A MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION CENTER WHEREAS, mental illness is not a crime, but the ongoing lack of accessible affordable, and culturally appropriate local treatment options frequently has left people with disabilities locked up inside a jail cell; and WHEREAS, both this defacto criminalizing people with mental health issues and allowing the homeless to lay on sidewalks were inadequate and inappropriate public policies; and WHEREAS, law enforcement dislike being relegated to defacto mental health care providers for individuals who are in need of effective culturally appropriate mental health care treatment options; WHEREAS, this committee repeatedly has pressed the City to actively address ableism as a critical and necessary component for obtaining and then maintaining an equitable society; and WHEREAS, ableism is not a ‘lesser’ form of discrimination within the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, ableism must be formally prohibited in all City of Austin offices, departments, and programs to achieve equity; and WHEREAS, Austin Police Department Police Chief Chacon, Travis County District Attorney Garza, and Travis County Attorney Garza have all already expressed public support for establishing a Mental Health Diversion Center; and WHEREAS, a Mental Health Diversion Center should not prosecute people with disabilities who are in need of mental health care and/or substance abuse issues; and WHEREAS, a Mental Health Diversion Center was proposed specifically to help people with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues; and WHEREAS, this proposed help must be culturally inclusive and refrain from promoting ableist stereotypes about people with disabilities within the City of Austin; and WHEREAS mental illness and substance abuse are already recognized as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act; and WHEREAS, the Mental Health Diversion Center should be collaboratively planned and funded like the City of Austin Texas is in fact now America’s 10th largest City; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities encourages the Austin City Council endorse the collaborative establishment of a Mental Health Diversion Center as a means of effectively and permanently addressing identified mental health and addiction needs in Austin‐Travis County without criminalizing people with disabilities, including people with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues.
Commission on Veterans Affairs Community Interest Announcement Veterans Pocket Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Thursday, November 11, 2021 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 2200 Veterans Drive, Austin, Texas 78703 https://www.austintexas.gov/event/veterans-pocket-park-ribbon-cutting A quorum of commission members may be present. No action will be taken. For more information, please contact the commission’s staff liaison, Jonathan Babiak, at (512) 974-3203 or by email at Jonathan.Babiak@austintexas.gov.
Airport Advisory Commission COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNOUNCEMENT Subcontracting opportunities at AUS meeting November 10, 2021 10AM – 11AM 2716 Spirit of Texas Dr Austin, TX 78719 A quorum of the Commission may be present. No action will be taken. For further information contact: Steve Khanoyan, Board Liaison 312-723-2619 or Stephen.Khanoyan@austintexas.gov
EVENT NOTICE Learn about upcoming subcontracting opportunities at AUS. EVENT INFO Date November 10, 2021 Time 10:00AM - 11:00AM Location 2716 Spirit of Texas Dr. Austin, TX 78719 Conference Room A COVID - 19 COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols Will be in Place ; FACE MASKS REQUIRED Sponsored By: Whiting-Turner www.whiting-turner.com Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Existing Terminal Centralized Baggage Handling System Upgrades Project Subcontracting OUTREACH Event Agenda Presentation of the Job Q&A Networking/Socializing Need Please feel free to Call or Email Us! Darwin Botero (WT) - 954-868-0742 Anthony Townsend (WT) - 954-383-6190 darwin.botero@whiting-turner.com anthony.townsend@whiting-turner.com EVENTNOTICE
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting Wednesday – November 10, 2021 – 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 CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Steven Apodaca Dave Floyd Maxine Eiland Nicole Thompson Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Illiya Svirsky Jennifer Ramos Sumit DasGupta AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN 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 – October 13, 2021 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. Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs update – Rondella Hawkins, TARA Officer, Financial Services Department 3. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion Week Art Competition – Jesse Rodriguez, Interim Program Manager, Financial Services Department (discussion and possible action) b. Digital Equity and Inclusion Town Hall – Chair Nehemiah Pitts III (Commission discussion and possible action) c. Election of Officers – Vice Chair (Commission discussion and action) 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
COMMISSION ON SENIORS NOVEMBER 10TH, 2021 AT 12:00PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 WEST 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS, 78701 CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Janee Briesmeister, Chair Peter Varteressian, Vice-Chair Natalie Cagle Jacqueline Angel Martha Bauman Patricia Bordie Emily De Maria Nicola Erica Garcia-Pittman AGENDA Adam Hauser Martin Kareithi Luz Lopez-Guerrero Sally Van Sickle Fred Lugo Diana Spain Amy Temperley CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Each speaker signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will be called in order of sign- up and will be allowed three minutes to speak about items posted or not on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE COMMISSION ON SENIORS OCTOBER 13TH, 2021 MEETNG 2. ANNOUCEMENTS 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Discussion and possible action Commission Work Plan – Standing Item B. Discussion and possible action from Working Groups – Standing Item i. Age Friendly Action Plan Implementation Working Group ii. iii. Transportation, Housing and Outdoor Spaces Working Group Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment Working Group iv. Community Support and Health Services Working Group v. Emergency Preparedness and Response Working Group C. Discussion and possible action from Joint Inclusion Committee – Standing Item (Commissioner De Maria Nicola) D. Discussion and possible action of City of Austin Budget – Standing Item (Chair Briesmeister) 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Update: Parks and Recreation Department (PARD): Adult 50+ Programs, Kelly Maltsberger, Program Manager, PARD, City of Austin. B. Update: Aging Affinity Group, Commissioner Amy Temperley. A. Age-friendly Austin Update, Tabitha Taylor, Age-Friendly Program Coordinator. 5. STAFF BRIEFINGS 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 7. 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 Halana Kaleel at Austin Public Health Department, at 512-972-5019, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission on Seniors please contact Halana Kaleel at 512-972- 5019.
ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. Austin Energy Assembly Room No. 1111 4815 Mueller Blvd. Austin, TX 78723 CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chair Luis Soberon Debra Danburg Raafia Lari Nguyen Stanton Vice-Chair Mary Kahle Betsy Greenberg Michael Lovins Mikki Teneyuca Secretary Robin Lerner Mary Kahle Donna Beth McCormick Sidney Williams AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There is no limit on the number of speakers who may speak on agenda items. A maximum of ten persons will be allowed to speak during general citizen communications on non-agenda items. Each person must register to speak prior to the call to order of the meeting. Each speaker who registers to speak will be allowed three minutes to speak. Please also see the “NOTICE Regarding Citizen Communication and Public Testimony” at the end of this agenda. 1. NEW BUSINESS Discussion and possible action regarding the following: a. Review and evaluation of the dollar limits established in Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance) and consider making recommendations to the city council as to those limits. 2. OLD BUSINESS Discussion and possible action regarding the following: a. Statement of What the Commission Does & How the Public can use the Commission and Statement on Equity, Access, and the Need for Reform by the Working Group on Race, Identity, and Equity b. Content of the agenda for future meetings, including description of Commission’s jurisdiction and/or functions. c. Working group status reports and/or recommendations on the following. 1 recommendations. Disclosure). recommendations. i. Working Group on Sanctions, Procedures, and other Issues (Chair Soberon and Commissioners Greenberg, Stanton, and Teneyuca) on the following subjects: - Commission sanctions including effectiveness, past cases, and - Potential amendments to City Code, Chapter 2-7 (Ethics and Financial - Commission procedures including effectiveness, past cases, and - Scope of work of the Commission (powers, duties, and obligations), including effectiveness, past cases, and recommendations. - Potential amendments to the Rules of the Ethics Review Commission. - Best practices for city attorney opinions including effectiveness, past cases, and recommendations. - Dollar Limits in Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance Code) - Campaign Finance Brochure - Possible budget proposal to create an ombudsperson for complaint assistance and/or campaign finance issues. ii. Working Group on Race, Identity, and Equity (Commissioners Kahle, Lari, and Soberon) status report and/or recommendations on: addressing issues of race, identity, and equity including: (i) (ii) planning for presentations or trainings by the Equity …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL NOVEMBER 10, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five 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 from October 13, 2021, meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group proposed actions i. Vote on memo to Workforce Solutions Capital Area regarding child care ii. Vote on recommendation to City Council regarding child care scholarship scholarship system system iii. Vote on recommendation to City Council regarding federal child care funding b. Joint Inclusion Committee updates- Raul Alvarez i. Review and provide comments on the draft list of priority issues for the Joint Inclusion Committee. (Action) ii. Decide if the ECC wants to hold a budget hearing on early childhood issues in early 2022. (Action) c. Approve 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar 3. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates b. KinderCare at Bergstrom Tech updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Census data trends b. Update about Head Start from Child Inc c. Child care staffing shortage in Austin 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 Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or email: Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Early Childhood Council, please contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or email: Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov.
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, October 13, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse; Vice Chair Worthington; Members Hosking Pulido, Gordon, Alvarez, Wren, Huston, Schennum, Paver, Bliss Lima, Hedrick, and Conlin Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley, and Donna Sundstrom CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL – No citizen communication 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 8, 2021, meeting – Member Hedrick moved to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved by a vote of 9-0 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar Staff liaisons Farley and Oliver shared considerations for keeping the ECC regular meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. for 2022. If the ECC were to schedule evening meetings for 2022, it may be more difficult to hold meetings at City Hall because many other Boards and Commissions have evening meetings. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECC considered a calendar with 2 evening meetings at locations that would be more convenient for community participation following requests for evening meetings from community organizations. Right now, all attendees must be in-person to participate. However, there is a City Council meeting agenda item to ask the City Manager to offer virtual options for Boards and Commissions meetings. Member Wren asked about having an ECC committee or workgroup meet in the evenings to get more community engagement. Member Gordon shared that the community engagement work group meets virtually from 3:30-4:40 p.m. If the ECC were to create a committee that would meet regularly, then the committee would need to post meeting agendas. Chair McHorse suggested that the staff liaison confirm the rules for committees and workgroups and whether there are virtual options for committee meetings. She also suggested meeting in the evening for April, which is also the Month of the Young Child, and in August, because that is the month that the ECC meeting typically not able to meet at City Hall on Wednesday morning due to City budget meetings. All other months, the ECC would keep meetings at 8:30 a.m., the second Wednesday of the month. Members supported having two evening meetings and for having one meeting in North Austin and one south. Staff liaison agreed to type up a proposed ECC 2022 …
Early Childhood Council DRAFT 2022 Proposed Calendar of Regular Meetings The ECC will meet on the second Wednesday of the month in 2022, except for in April and August when the ECC will meet on a different day of the week. There will not be meetings in July or December. Date Time Location * January 12 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) February 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) March 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) April 12 ???? p.m. TBD May 11 June 8 July – No meeting 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) August 13 ???? a.m. TBD September 14 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) October 12 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) November 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) December – No meeting * Locations subject to change, and will be listed on posted agendas and available on the Early Childhood Council page: http://austintexas.gov/ecc.
Versión en español a continuación. Regular Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 Zero Waste Advisory Commission to be held Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 by noon). All public comments will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting, members of the public must: • Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@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). • Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Zero Waste Advisory Commission FECHA de la reunion (Wednesday, November 10th, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 (antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512)974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de …
Proposed 2022 Meeting Schedule Zero Waste Advisory Commission The Commission shall meet at 6:00 PM on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Proposed Meeting Dates January 12, 2022 February 9, 2022 March 9, 2022 April 13, 2022 May 11, 2022 June 8, 2022 July 13, 2022 August 10, 2022 September 14, 2022 October 12, 2022 November 9, 2022 Proposed Locations* Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers *City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 at 6:00 P.M. +Proposed locations are tentative and may change, please check the Boards and Commission Website
POST-DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL SERVICES CONTRACTORS: CERES ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.; CROWDERGULF, LLC; and DRC EMERGENCY SERVICES, LLC SOLICITATION # (RFP 1500 SLW3011) Council: 12/02/2021 ZWAC: 11/10/2021 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: Three multi-term contracts with a term for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $5,000,000, divided among the contractors. (Authorized Department: Austin Resource Recovery). ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $833,333 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. 2. Solicitation Information # of bids received: 9 # of non-responsive bids received: 3 Solicitation No. RFP 1500 SLW3011 Length of time solicitation was out on the street: 6.5 weeks Was the time extended? Yes Issued date: 03/29/2021 Closed date: 05/13/2021 3. Previous/Current Contract Information Previous contract: N/A This is a new contract. 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. Notes/Other The City is preparing for future disasters by entering contracts for post-disaster debris services. The recommended contractors will be eligible to provide post-disaster debris removal and debris disposal services on public property and public rights-of-way (ROW) within the city limits, including the management of the preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation phases of emergency situations or disasters. These contracts are to ensure coverage in the event of a disaster. The work consists of all labor, equipment, fuel, and miscellaneous costs necessary to clear, remove, load, and haul debris from public ROWs to debris management sites, temporary debris storage and reduction sites, and/or approved landfills. All work shall follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protective Agency requirements to maintain a safe working environment. Also, the contractors shall be required to follow Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) practices and guidelines and all other applicable regulations, guidelines, and practices. Utilizing a debris removal and disposal contractor is a necessary step in the FEMA reimbursement process. The City has worked with DRC Emergency Services, LLC in the past during recovery efforts related to the February 2021 Winter Storm. Ceres Environmental Services, Inc., CrowderGulf, LLC, and DRC Emergency Services, LLC are all capable and experienced in providing disaster recovery requirements and meeting FEMA standards. An evaluation team …
POST-DISASTER DEBRIS MONITORING SERVICES TETRA TECH INC. SOLICITATION # (RFP 1500 SLW3010) Council: 12/02/2021 ZWAC: 11/10/2021 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: Contract has a multi-term for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,500,000. (Authorized Department: Austin Resource Recovery). ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $416,666 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. 2. Solicitation Information # of bids received: 4 # of non-responsive bids received: 1 Solicitation No. RFP 1500 SLW3010 Length of time solicitation was out on the street: 5.5 weeks Was the time extended? Yes Issued date: 03/29/2021 Closed date: 05/06/2021 3. Previous/Current Contract Information Previous contract: N/A This is a new contract. 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. Notes/Other The City is preparing for future disasters by entering contracts for post-disaster debris services. The contract will provide a contractor for post-disaster emergency field debris monitoring services, including related management, and accounting services. The recommended contractor will be responsible for monitoring the recovery efforts and actions of the City’s post-disaster debris removal contractor in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) policies and guidelines. Utilizing a debris monitoring contractor is a necessary step in the FEMA reimbursement process. These services include the monitoring of debris collection and of temporary debris storage and reduction sites, the proper preparation and maintenance of documentation for requesting and obtaining reimbursement from FEMA for disaster-related costs, and the reporting of data on equipment use, load eligibility, regulations compliance, public and personnel safety, hazardous trees, hazardous wastes, and schedule issues, as well as other related services. The contractor will monitor the progress of recovery efforts and assist with making and implementing recommendations to improve efficiency and maintain compliance. All work will follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protective Agency requirements to maintain a safe working environment. Also, the contractor will be required to follow FEMA practices and guidelines and all other applicable regulations, guidelines, and practices. The City has worked with Tetra Tech Inc. in the past when assisting with a disaster in Houston, Texas, as well as during recovery efforts related to the …
REFUSE, RECYCLING, AND ORGANICS CARTS TOTER LLC. SOLICITATION # (OMNIA PARTNERS COOPERATIVE) ZWAC: 11/10/2021 Council: 12/09/2021 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: Contract has a term of 13 months and a contract not to exceed the amount of $3,900,000. (Authorized Department: Austin Resource Recovery). ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $3,900,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. 2. Solicitation Information # of bids received: 3 # of non-responsive bids received: 0 Solicitation No. (OMNIA Partners Cooperative) Length of time solicitation was out on the street: Cooperative Purchase Was the time extended? N/A Issued date: N/A Closed date: N/A 3. Previous/Current Contract Information Previous contract: Yes Contract number: GC170000001 Contract length and authorization: 12 months initial with 4, 12-months options/$21,235,000.00 Contract actual spend: $15,514,845.79 Current status: Active, New contract needed due to current contract running out of time. Contract execution date: 01/01/2016 Contract expiration date: 12/31/2021 4. Notes/Other Reason for only 13 months: The Cooperative agreement ends in 13 months and will need to be re-solicited. At that time, ARR intends to utilize the renewed Cooperative contract to locate the best available price for this need. The contract is for residential refuse, recycling, and organics containers with lid graphics and radio- frequency identification tags. These containers are crucial for the continuation of the City’s residential waste and recycling program which adheres to and promotes the City’s Zero Waste initiatives. This program requires customers to use City-issued containers for the collection of residential refuse, recycling, and organic waste. The contract will support the City’s ability to issue containers of appropriate capacity to new customers, as well as provide enough inventory to replace damaged containers for existing customers. The contract will benefit the public by keeping the community clean and protect Austin’s environment by supporting the City’s goal to transform waste into resources, while reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills. The current contract expires on December 31, 2021. The requested authorization amount was determined using a departmental estimate based on historical spend and future usage. The recommended contractor is the current provider for these goods. The OMNIA Partners cooperative establishes competitively bid contracts that can be utilized by the State and other government agencies through a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements save taxpayer dollars. REVIEWED AND APPROVED FOR ZWAC Name Compiled By: …
To: From: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery Date: November 10th, 2021 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission 9 2020 ARR Residential Customer Survey Results Summary The ARR annual Residential Customer Survey is conducted through ARR’s Quality Assurance Residential Quality Services and Austin Energy’s Data Analytics and Business Intelligence teams. This year we incorporated an email and phone component to capture responses from all demographics. By adding the phone component, there was a significant increase in the number of Spanish‐speaking customers that completed the survey. Following are some key findings of the results: Our customers value our service 922 responses were captured 55 customers completed the survey in Spanish (over the phone) Satisfaction with ARR employees is 89% Overall satisfaction with ARR is at 78% The value of ARR service is at 76% See the attached presentation for more detailed results. Give a Great Story Holiday Campaign The Circular Economy Program’s annual ‘Give a Great Story’ campaign encourages Austin residents to give zero waste gifts during the holiday season — ideas include giving experiences (concert tickets), shared or reused items (vintage jacket from the thrift store), and repaired items (fix a broken guitar). The campaign hopes to replace the need to buy new things during the busiest holiday shopping season of the year. This year, our campaign will promote the relaunch of the ReUse Directory. The ReUse directory is a tool that will help residents locate items and services that are at the heart of giving a great story. Part of our campaign will include a collaboration with Recycled Reads through a curated ‘Give a Great Story’ section in their store. Also, ARR will be hosting two making workshops to teach residents how to create new, wonderful gifts out of old or discarded materials. End of the Year Recap Austin Resource Recovery 2021 1. Completion of Curbside Compost Collection Program. The final expansion, in January 2021, provided service to all remaining ARR customers after a four‐year phased‐in approach that began in 2017. (HE.D.4) 2. Multifamily Compost Pilot. Recruited multifamily properties to participate in 6 months of composting service to measure opportunities, challenges, and cost impacts of composting with multifamily tenants. (HE.E.1) 3. Circular Economy Businesses Created & Expanded through Innovative Programming. Launched the establishment and expansion of local circular businesses through regular business retention visits, Circular …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes October 13th, 2021 The Monthly Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened through Video Conference on Wednesday, October 13th, 2021, due to COVID-19 Disaster Declaration for all Texas Counties. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/141646 CALL TO ORDER Chair Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:28 pm Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Cathy Gattuso, Amanda Masino, Jonathan Barona, Ian Steyaert, Melissa Rothrock and Kaiba White Board Members not in Attendance: none Staff in attendance via WebEx: Ken Snipes, Tammie Williamson, Richard McHale, Amy Slagle, Gena McKinley, Andy Dawson, Donald Hardee, Dwight Scales, Jason McCombs, Brent Paige, Mike Lewis, Natalie Betts, Young Park, Blanche Quarterman, Victoria Rieger, Amy Schillerstrom, Memi Cardenas, Myra Rios, Lori Scott, Selene Castillo, Claudia Nava, Liz Jambor, Brian Kennedy, Shana Riviello and William Purcell Chair Acuna opened with comments, 1. APPROVAL of the August 19th, 2021 Meeting Minutes Chair Acuna entertained a motion to approve the August 19th, 2021 Meeting minutes. Commissioner Cathy Gattuso made the first motion for approval of the minutes. A second motion was provided by Commissioner Ian Steyaert Item passed Unanimously 2a. Discussion and Action: Electrical Recycling RCA This is Andy Dawson from Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) resource recovery. This item was originally scheduled for the last month, but due to operational needs, it will be on the council agenda tomorrow. We would like to ask for a favorable recommendation for award on its contract with Universal Recycling Technologies to provide electronics recycling for up to fifty-five months for an amount not to exceed $720,000. This contract will provide for the pickup transportation and recycling of electronics recycling use drop-off center contractor must recycle the materials in an environmentally sound manner in accordance with the eastern standard or responsible cycling of electronic equipment of the Basil Action Network, you know, work as well as clients with all federal state and local laws. I'm available to answer any questions that anyone may have. Commissioner White replied, I know, I think we had maybe some discussion about this in the past but is this, can you, can you describe this? is, is this for vehicles, or is this for the services? Chair Acuna replied, it’s the Andy it's for the actual, technology recycling, right? Andy Replied this is so, both city departments and residents can drop off electronics at …
