REGULAR MEETING of the ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION OCTOBER 10, 2022, 6 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, Room 1101 301 W. Second St. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely 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 Belinda Hare, by Sunday noon, October 9, at phone 512-978-0565, or email Belinda.hare@austintexas.gov. Please know emails work best. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS Craig Nazor, Chair Nancy Nemer Palmer Neuhaus Jo Anne Norton Luis Herrera Kristen Hassen, Parliamentarian Dr. Amanda Bruce CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA Ryan Clinton, Vice Chair Lisa Mitchell Katie Jarl Lotta Smagula Beatriz Dulzaides Dr. Paige Nilson 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. Speakers for specific agenda items may sign up prior to the meeting or in person at the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Animal Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on September 12, 2022. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Presentation by Don Bland and/or Jason Garza regarding Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports 3. Presentation by Don Bland regarding AAC Staffing and Services 4. Update on Animal Services Audit, by Keith Salas, Assistant City Auditor DISCUSSION ITEMS 5. Presentation by Parliamentarian regarding Roberts Rules of Order 6. Presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding Monthly Report DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Discussion and Possible Action Concerning the Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony, presentation by Dr. Merlin Tuttle, Bat Conservancy 8. Discussion and Possible Action on Adopting Bird-Safe Building Ordinances, presentation by Dr. Chris Sheppard, the Director of the Glass Collisions Program at the American Bird Conservancy 9. Discussion and Possible Action on AAC Monthly Reporting of Data 10. Discussion and Possible Action on Transferring Austin Animal Center Animals to Other 11. Discussion and Possible Action on Inclusion of Animal Services in the City of Austin Communities next Five-Year Strategic Plan 12. Discussion and Possible Action on City’s Use of Cooling Centers 13. Discussion and Possible …
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Real Birds! We’re focused on overcoming the biggest problems facing birds today. Birds Have Intrinsic and Cultural Value We’re focused on overcoming the biggest problems facing birds today. Birds Contribute Hundreds of Billions in Eco-services Habitat Restoration Pest Control Bird Watching: 40+ Billion Dollar Economic Engine Collisions are not rare We’re focused on overcoming the biggest problems facing birds today. Annual Mortality: North America We’re focused on overcoming the biggest problems facing birds today. Mortality estimate Date of reference Collisions with Buildings/glass 2014 1 billion Cats 2013 2—4 billion Most Collisions are on Homes and Low-rise Buildings, not Highrises We’re focused on overcoming the biggest problems facing birds today. The Bird Activity Zone Mostly Songbirds: migrating at night, colliding by day – WHY? We’re focused on overcoming the biggest problems facing birds today. Look Where You’re Going? What Causes Collisions? Glass or No Glass? We’re focused on overcoming the biggest problems facing birds today. Birds Take What They See Literally Birds Can’t Learn the Concept ‘Glass’ Open Sky vs Cluttered Environment How to Stop Collisions: Get Birds to Swerve By Using Bird-friendly Glass 2 or 3 D signals Proper Spacing -- 2” Visible from 10’ What’s Bird-friendly Glass? Evaluation Method #1: Tunnel Test – ‘active’ signals – Threat Factors Action! Fritted Glass, Surface Coverage 6%, TF= 17 Intuit HQ, Mountain View CA Google’s New Home at Block 185 is Downtown Austin’s Next Signature Tower James Rambin March 26, 2019 Comment Image: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects / STG Design / Trammell Crow Company Block 185 is an all-star tower. This 35-floor office building by national developer Trammell Crow Company, UV Glass TF= 23 Vassar Bridge Science Building, Poughkeepsie Evaluation Method #2: Compliance with Prescriptive Standard ▪ Simple example: surface 1 etch, maximum gloss level =18 ▪ More complex: Flow Chart Insect Screen (not flush with glass) TF=1 Evaluation Method # 3:Spandrel Glass: visual scale Evaluation Method #4: Computer Models How to Design a Bird-friendly Building Strategies: Incorporate from the beginning ➢ Reduce exposure of glass ➢ Incorporate signals in/on glass ➢ Minimize use of glass Bird-friendly Design overlaps with: solar shading, glare control, distinctive design aesthetic, security, thermal control, energy efficiency and more Legislation, Ordinances and Guidelines We’re focused on overcoming the biggest problems facing birds today. IN PROGRESS Bird-safe Buildings Act, Federal State of California, CalGreen Berkeley Washington, DC DOEE Green Code State of Maryland Canada, standard code for provinces …
American Bird Conservancy Model Bird-Friendly Building Guidelines December 2020 These model, or ideal, guidelines are intended to be a starting point for cities, towns, villages, counties, states, and any other entity interested in regulating or guiding building construction to reduce bird collisions with glass. They describe a truly bird-friendly building. Summarized simply, these guidelines are based on a 100/100/100 framework: 100% of all glass and other building materials should be bird friendly in the first 100 feet of 100% of buildings. The guidelines also specifically include all hazardous features that can trap birds or push them in the direction of dangerous features. Any group that adopts this ordinance as written will be at the leading edge of creating a bird- friendly built environment. However, many groups considering such guidelines will be interested in softening the language to exempt certain types of buildings or to reduce the amount of bird-friendly glass required. In anticipation of this, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has created a discussion of the issues to be considered when revising the model guidelines. (See ABC’s Legislation, Ordinances, and Guidelines) These guidelines will be most commonly adopted as an ordinance to modify municipal building codes. As a result, the guidelines below are written in the form of a model ordinance. However, the text can be easily adapted to fit other building guidance formats. ABC will revise these guidelines as new science, materials, techniques, and technologies become available, so please make sure that you have the most current version before you begin the process of creating your own guidelines. (See ABC’s Legislation, Ordinances, and Guidelines) PROPOSAL NUMBER: SPONSOR(S): PROPOSAL NAME: Bird-Friendly Building Design Requirements PURPOSE: This building ordinance has been created to address the role of the (MUNICIPALITY)’s built environment in the annual loss of up to 1 billion birds due to glass collisions in the United States. WHEREAS, birds provide valuable and important ecological services, WHEREAS, (MUNICIPALITY) has recorded (XXX) species of resident and migratory bird species, WHEREAS, birding is a hobby enjoyed by 46 million Americans with an annual $107 billion total industry output in the United States, WHEREAS, as many as 1 billion birds may be killed by collisions with windows every year in the United States, WHEREAS, new buildings can be designed to reduce bird deaths from collisions without significant additional cost, WHEREAS there exist strategies to mitigate collisions on existing buildings, WHEREAS witnessing a collision is …
Backup Materials: Animal Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda Item #8, October 10, 2022 Bird-safe Building Guidelines Proposed Animal Advisory Commission Recommendation: The Animal Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council adopts the American Bird Conservancy’s Model-Friendly Building Guidelines for the City of Austin. We further recommend that the Austin City Council writes a letter to the US Congress to recommend support for the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2021. Current Legislation: New York City: http://nyc.legistar1.com/nyc/attachments/7da57cbb-679b-45c9-bc5a-058e49c42c24.pdf Madison, Wisconsin: https://madison.legistar.com/ViewReport.http://nyc.legistar1.com/nyc/attachments/7da57cbb- 679b-45c9-bc5a- 058e49c42c24.pdf?M=R&N=Text&GID=205&ID=4026260&GUID=B7D2A103-B19F-4F20- 96F2-14A2E27FD393&Title=Legislation+Text Chicago, Illinois: https://chicago.councilmatic.org/legislation/o2020-136/ Pending Federal Legislation for public buildings: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1986/text?r=3&s=1
Agenda Item 11: ASO and City of Austin Strategic Development Plan Animal Advisory Commission October 10, 2022 Letter to Austin CM and CFO concerning SD28 Dear City Manager Spencer Cronk and Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo: We recommend that the City of Austin include information about the Austin Animal Center and our many programs for Austin citizens in the upcoming Strategic Development 28 Plan (SD28). The Animal Advisory Commission, as well as Austin Animal Center leadership and staff, were disappointed when no mention was made of Austin’s Animal Center and our many valuable programs for helping Austin’s animals in the last Strategic Development Plan. There is a tremendous amount of hard work done every day of the year for the animals of Austin by Shelter Staff, supported by the hard work of many Austin citizens who volunteer their time and donate their money to help make the lives of Austin’s companion animals better. This extends out to our many Austin Partner Organizations, all of which contribute to our goal of the best No-Kill Shelter in the world. It is an unfortunate omission that such hard work on such an important City function is lacking from a Strategic Plan for our City. Animals are family to many Austin residents - let us be more inclusive in the upcoming Austin Strategic Plan! Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Dr. Craig Nazor Chair, Animal Advisory Commission
September 2022 September 2022 Animal Services Report AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT • Austin Animal Center restricted intake to emergencies effective September 13. • Austin Animal Center reopened for adoption and reclaim on Sundays beginning September 25. • The live outcome rate for September was 97.68 percent. • A total of 747 animals were brought to the shelter which included 398 dogs, 309 cats, 25 wild animals, four guinea pigs, three rabbits, three domestic birds, one snake, and one tortoise. • A total of 698 animals were adopted (356 dogs, 323 cats, and 19 small pets). • A total of 93 dogs, cats, and tortoise were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 49 animals to their owners in the field. • Officers handed out 26 fencing assistance applications and implanted zero microchips. • Officers impounded 172 injured animals and delivered 158 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 212 rabies exposure reports and submitted 29 specimens for rabies testing. Four bats tested Animal Services News Animal Protection positive for rabies. • 31 total coyote related activities o 12 sightings o 5 incidents o 3 wild speaks o 3 wild sicks o 3 wild injured o 3 observations o 2 encounters • Out of 31 coyote related activities, 19 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident) • Encounters: Pets were a factor in 100% of activities: o 1 encounter involved a coyote entering a fenced backyard to chase two outside cats Incidents: Pets were factor in 100% of these encounters. • September 2022 Animal Services Report o 1 incident involved a coyote family of 4 entering a backyard. One growled at a resident o 1 incident involved a coyote taking an off-leash dog with owner nearby o 1 incident involved a coyote chasing an off leash outside cat with owner next to the cat o 1 incident involved a coyote taking an outside cat. Unknown if it was owned. • Out of 31 related activities, 9 fell within the reported behavior types (wild sick, wild speak, and wild injured) Volunteer, Foster, and Rescue Programs • A total of 316 volunteers donated 4,519 hours of volunteer service. • The Volunteer Coordinators held five orientations for new volunteers, introducing 126 people to the shelter programs. 109 new volunteers attended their first training or mentor shifts in September. • 68 individuals donated 136 …
We recommend that the dysfunctional string of lights on the western side of the Congress Agenda Item 7 Backup: Congress Avenue Bat Colony Animal Advisory Commission October 10, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission makes the following recommendations concerning the Mexican Free-tail bat colony under the Congress Ave. bridge: We recommend that the City of Austin posts a QR code prominently on the east side of 1. both ends of the Congress Ave. bridge, scannable by a smart phone, that links to a City website where detailed information about Austin’s bat colony can be provided. This website should contain information about bat viewing opportunities, safety around bats, and what to do about injured bats. We further recommend that for detailed biological and historical information about these Austin bats, including seasonal cycles that affect viewing opportunities, bat behavior, and the ecological significance of this colony, the City site should be linked to a site specifically designed and frequently updated for this detailed information by Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation (MTBC). 2. Ave. bridge be removed. This structure is a hazard to bats, particularly young bats, as they start their nightly flights for food. 3. placement of any publicly accessible bat-viewing areas being considered. We recommend that as soon as The Statesman PUD plans become finalized and the 4. positioning of any proposed bat-viewing areas or decks has been determined, the City judiciously trims some of the trees along Lady Bird Lake for better public bat-viewing. Trees do not need to be removed, but some of the lower branches could be trimmed for better sight lines, depending on the location of the bat-viewing areas. 5. bridge. These joints are above land. (The spaces have been cemented closed above the Hike and Bike trail.) Vegetation beneath the bats’ south-end roosting spaces should not be permitted to grow more than one meter tall. (Bats will abandon this area if vegetation is permitted to grow taller.) A more sophisticated planting could also be designed for this area, as tall vegetation beneath the bridge that interferes with the bats demands more maintenance. We believe this is a project best handled by a collaboration between the Watershed Protection Department and the Austin Trail Conservancy. 6. and into Lady Bird Lake. Currently, there is erosion damage to the Trail itself from this stormwater flow. There is a need for some kind of rainwater detention structure to be built on the …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20221010-007 Date: 10/11/22 Colony Subject: Recommended Action Concerning the Congress Avenue Bridge Mexican Free-tail Bat Motioned By: Dr. Paige Nilson Seconded By: Beatriz Dulzaides Recommendation: 1. We recommend that the City of Austin posts a QR code prominently on the east side of both ends of the Congress Ave. bridge (and possibly at other locations), scannable by a smart phone, that links to a City website where detailed information about Austin’s bat colony can be provided. 2. We recommend that the dysfunctional string of lights on the western side of the Congress Ave. bridge be removed. This structure is a hazard to bats, particularly young bats, as they start their nightly flights for food (this may have already been done). 3. We recommend that Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation specifically be consulted concerning the design and placement of any publicly accessible bat-viewing areas being considered. 4. We recommend that as soon as The Statesman PUD plans become finalized and the positioning of any proposed bat-viewing areas or decks has been determined, the City judiciously trims, as necessary, some of the trees along Lady Bird Lake for better public bat- viewing. 5. Vegetation beneath the bats’ roosting spaces at the extreme south end of the bridge should never be permitted to grow more than one meter tall. Bats will abandon this area if vegetation is permitted to grow much taller. 6. Currently, there is erosion damage to the Trail under the south end of the bridge from stormwater flow. There is a need for some kind of rainwater detention structure to be built on the uphill side of the Trail that overflows into culverts beneath the path and into the Lake to control this flooding and minimize erosion. Description of Recommendation to Council: 1. The linked website should contain information about bat viewing opportunities, safety around bats, and what to do about injured bats. We further recommend that for detailed biological and historical information about Austin bats, including seasonal cycles that affect viewing opportunities, bat behavior, and the ecological significance of this colony, the City site should be linked to a site specifically designed and frequently updated for this detailed information by Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation (MTBC), which has volunteered their services for this task. 2. This recommendation is self-explanatory. 3. This recommendation is self-explanatory. 4. Trees do not need to be removed in this trimming, but some …
ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20221010-008 Date: 10/11/22 Subject: Adopting Bird-Safe Building Ordinances Motioned By: Jo Anne Norton Seconded By: Dr. Paige Nilson Recommendation: The Animal Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council adopts the American Bird Conservancy’s (ABC’s) Model Bird-Friendly Building Guidelines for the City of Austin. (See: https://abcbirds.org/glass-collisions/model-ordinance/ This is included below.) We further recommend that the Austin City Council writes a letter to the US Congress to recommend support for the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2021. Description of Recommendation to Council: These model, or ideal, guidelines are intended to be a starting point for cities, towns, villages, counties, states, and any other entity interested in regulating or guiding building construction to reduce bird collisions with glass. They describe a truly bird-friendly building. Summarized simply, these guidelines are based on a 100/100/100 framework: 100% of all glass and other building materials should be bird friendly in the first 100 feet of 100% of buildings. The guidelines also specifically include all hazardous features that can trap birds or push them in the direction of dangerous features. Any group that adopts this ordinance as written will be at the leading edge of creating a bird- friendly built environment. However, many groups considering such guidelines will be interested in softening the language to exempt certain types of buildings or to reduce the amount of bird-friendly glass required. In anticipation of this, ABC has created a discussion of the issues to be considered when revising the model guidelines. (See https://abcbirds.org/glass-collisions/existing-ordinances/ ) These guidelines will be most commonly adopted as an ordinance to modify municipal building codes. As a result, the guidelines below are written in the form of a model ordinance. However, the text can be easily adapted to fit other building guidance formats. ABC will revise these guidelines as new science, materials, techniques, and technologies become available, so please make sure that you have the most current version before you begin the process of creating your own guidelines. (See https://abcbirds.org/glass-collisions/legislation/ ). 1 of 4 PROPOSAL NAME: Bird-Friendly Building Design Requirements PURPOSE: This building ordinance has been created to address the role of the (MUNICIPALITY)’s built environment in the annual loss of up to 1 billion birds due to glass collisions in the United States. WHEREAS, birds provide valuable and important ecological services, WHEREAS, (MUNICIPALITY) has recorded (XXX) species of resident and migratory bird species, WHEREAS, birding is a hobby …
AAC Meeting Minutes 2022-10-10 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES October 10, 2022 The Animal Advisory Commission convened for a regular meeting on Monday, October 10, 2022, 6 p.m., in the Boards and Commissions Room 1101 at Austin City Hall. Commission Chair, Craig Nazor, called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m., conducted a roll call of members and confirmed a quorum of seven commissioners. Five Commissioners attended the meeting in person: Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson and Dr Amanda Bruce. Two Commissioners attended via teleconferencing, Commissioners Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. Commission Members Absent: Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: GENERAL In-person: Amber Rowland Neil Hay APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Corrections to the draft minutes were noted. Commissioner Nemer moved to approve the minutes with corrections; Commissioner Jarl seconded the motion which passed unanimously with all participating Commissioners voting in favor, 7 to 0: Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. BRIEFINGS 2. Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports 3. AAC Staffing and Services 4. Update on ASO Audit, Keith Salas, Assistant City Auditor DISCUSSION ITEMS 5. Presentation by Parliamentarian regarding Roberts Rules of Order 6. Presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding APA! Monthly Report DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Discussion and Possible Action Concerning the Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2022-10-10 Commissioner Dr. Nilson moved to approve the six recommendations presented by Dr. Merlin Tuttle, Bat Conservancy, to City Council. Commissioner Dulzaides seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 7-0, with the seven commissioners in attendance voting in favor, including Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson, Dr Bruce, Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, and Hassen. 8. Discussion and Possible Action on Adopting Bird-Safe Building Ordinances Dr. Chris Sheppard, Director of the Glass Collisions Program at the American Bird Conservancy, presented on the importance of protecting birds and how to reduce bird collisions. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend the City Council adopt the American Bird Conservancy’s Model-Friendly Building Guidelines. Dr. Nilson seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 7-0, with the seven commissioners in attendance voting in favor, including Nazor, Norton, Dulzaides, Dr. Nilson, Dr Bruce, Nemer and Jarl. Six members were absent, including Commissioners Smagula, Clinton, Herrera, Mitchell, Neuhaus, …
