Environmental Commission Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission - Remote meeting to be held with social distancing modifications. See agenda for details.
Versión en español a continuación. Environmental Commission Regular Meeting August 18, 2021 Environmental Commission to be held August 18, 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 (August 17, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 18, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison Kaela Champlin, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@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 Kaela.Champlin@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 1 Reunión del Environmental Commission FECHA de la reunion (18 de agosto de 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 (17 de agosto de 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 Kaela Champlin, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@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 teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para …
Updating the TCEQ TMDL Implementation Plan for • Waller, • Walnut, • Taylor Slough South, and • Spicewood Trib of Shoal Julie White Environmental Program Coordinator Julie.White@austintexas.gov 512-974-3527 Andrew Clamann Environmental Scientist Senior Andrew.Clamann@austintexas.gov 512-974-2694 This is not my beautiful creek! You may ask yourself: How did we get here? Water quality monitoring data submitted to the State If data indicates impairment, then the stream is placed on the "303(d)* list" * Clean Water Act Section 303(d) requires states to regularly identify water bodies that do not meet water quality standards ** TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load): a program to analyze data with goal to resolve issue State develops a TMDL** with an Implementation Plan aka "IPlan" You may ask yourself: My God, what's an IPLAN? • A set of strategies to achieve the goal of pollution reduction outlined in the TMDL • Facilitated by TCEQ staff • Developed by stakeholders • 5year implementation period (+ revisions) An I-plan outlines: • What the community will do over the next five years • Who will do it • When they will do it • How we will gauge improvement Currently there are 5 Austin watersheds with IPlans (due to bacteria impairment) IPlan approved in 2011, revised 2017 Gilleland Waller Walnut Taylor Slough South Spicewood Trib of Shoal IPlan for 4 urban watersheds approved in 2015, expired* in 2020, now require revision *IPlans have 5-year approval periods after which they are reviewed and revised (if necessary) The 2015-2020 IPlan for 4 Austin urban creeks 5 primary voluntary strategies • Protect and restore riparian areas • Maintain wastewater infrastructure – includes OSSF, adding public toilets • Improve domestic pet waste management • Education/ public outreach to engage citizens • Improve management of stormwater MS4 Permit & Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) • Population triggered regulatory permit designed to reduce pollutant discharges into city stormwater conveyances. • Develop and implement a plan and submit accomplishments to the TCEQ annually • Periodic audits by TCEQ or EPA Measures to reduce stormwater pollution aka Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) 1. MS4 Maintenance Activities 2. Post-Construction Storm Water Control Measures 3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination 4. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations 5. Industrial and High Risk Runoff 6. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff 7. Public Education and Involvement 8. Monitoring Programs I thought we were talking about I-plans? TMDL measures (previously voluntary) are now required to be …
Youth Education Elementary, Middle and High School COVID Pandemic School Year 2020-2021 Education Programs Covid-19 Response Teachers pivoted to a VIRTUAL FORMAT: teaching to a camera, interacting with students as a host via Zoom and performing the role of videographer. Equipment identified and acquired to teach virtually in the field. Two more Teaching Videos produced to add to the ten videos produces in April/May 2020. All videos uploaded to the City of Austin YouTube Channel. Lessons were recreated and rewritten for a VIRTUAL LIVE presentation. Kahoot games created for lessons. Fun timers and Wheel of Names for prizes to promote student participation. Hands-on materials for LIVE interactions delivered to schools. . Fifth grade Virtual Earth Camp 1047 students from 19 schools • • LIVE Zoomed from the Field Interactive Lessons Students made paper watersheds Student Ethnicity Mapped their school’s watershed Used a hairnet to simulate a helmet to enter a cave of the aquifer virtually Mixed Ethnicity/Other 2% White 7% Asian/Pacific Islander 3% Black 9% Hispanic 79% Planted seeds. Fifth grade Virtual Earth School 1463 students from 16 schools Student Ethnicity Hispanic 32% White 52% Mixed Ethnicity/Other 5% Black 3% Asian/Pacific Islander 8% Put photos here LIVE classroom Zoom Interactive Lesson • Paper Watershed Model Activity • Aquifer & Watershed Model Demonstrations • Breakout Room Discussions about Pollution & Solutions • Flood Safety Awareness Presentation Elementary & Middle school Virtual Clean Creek Campus 1,376 students from 14 schools LIVE, in the field and classroom, Zoom Interactive Lessons for CLEAN CREEK CAMPUS Langford 5th grade teacher: “Being able to go on a virtual field trip this year was a real treat for the students. Honestly, it increased participation in zoom classes. The virtual field trip was the highlight for sure! The educators did a really good job answering students' questions on the spot and allowing for a lot of class participation to maintain engagement throughout. It was fantastic!” Middle School Watershed Detectives cancelled due to COVID Partnered with CaveSim to deliver virtual programming to 1008 students 3 middle schools and 3 elementary schools Student Ethnicity Mixed Ethnicity/Other 1% Asian/Pacific Islander 4% Black 6% White 15% Hispanic 74% High School Hydrofiles cancelled due to COVID Participated in Barton Springs University Virtual Presentation – 29 students Partnered with PARD Ranger Cadet Program High school Austin Youth River Watch 49 students Pandemic Adjusted Goals: Virtual Program Delivery Materials Delivered Small Group Virtual …
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department and The Trail Foundation Partnership Agreement Environmental Commision Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin Christine Chute Canul, PARD Partnership Manager Heidi Anderson, CEO, The Trail Foundation Al Godfrey, Board Member, The Trail Foundation August 18, 2021 The Trail Foundation 2 The Trail Foundation (TTF) A 501(c)3 dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and connecting the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake for the benefit of all. TTF/City of Austin Partnership Timeline 1971 – Public-private civic effort formed led by the Citizen’s Committee for a More Beautiful Town Lake 2003 – Town Lake Trail Foundation (now The Trail Foundation) was formed to continue the work of the Citizen’s Committee and ensure that the Trail remains one of Austin’s outstanding places 2014 – Boardwalk opens, completes the 10+ mile loop of the Ann and Roy Butler Trail 2015 – TTF adopted the Butler Trail at Lady Bird Lake Urban Forestry and Natural Areas Management Guidelines, developed by Siglo Group in consultation with TTF, Austin Parks and Recreation (PARD) and the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department (WPD). 2018 – PARD and TTF begin discussions to formalize partnership 2020 – Formal process begins to enter into phased Parkland Operations & Maintenance Agreement (POMA) with PARD 3 TTF Investment & Public Benefit Since 2003, TTF has invested more than $17,550,000 on the Butler Trail and the Town Lake Metro Park, including infrastructure projects, ecological restoration, and maintenance. Pre-pandemic (2019) Annual TTF Investment: $3,319,731 Volunteer Impact Since January 2017: 219 Volunteer Events 3,988 Volunteers 15,687 Sapling Trees Planted 1,588 Yards of Mulch/compost Spread 59.4 Acres of Wildflowers Planted ...In addition to an increasingly robust volunteer impact program. Just this year, 400+ bags of trash were collected and 71 screech owl nest boxes were made and installed. 4 Council Resolution - 20200312-041 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: The City Council expresses support for the concept of parkland agreements between nonprofit organizations and PARD if the agreements further the mission And vision of the department with regard to non- enterprise fund public parks and trails in an effective, efficient, and inclusive manner. BE IT RESOLVED: The City Council directs the City Manager to work with parks nonprofit partners that have established relationships with PARD, including but not limited to The Trail Foundation and …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department | Partnership Levels Partnership Configuration A (Non-profit Public Partnership NP3) Partnership A - Definition A 501(c)(3) Non-profit partner mission closely aligns with PARD mission, vision, and values; aligns to the public land/public facility owned by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Partner within configuration A seeks a level of autonomy to construct, operate, maintain, and/or program projects on parkland. Parks partnerships successfully combine the assets of the public and private sectors in novel ways to create new and refurbished parks, greenways, trails, and other public assets in our community. Partnerships between public agencies and private nonprofits can help effectively build, renovate, maintain, and program parks. By teaming up, parks agencies and nonprofits can help cities do a better job of meeting citizens' demands for more and better parks in the face of limited public resources. PARD review and oversight is meant to ensure Partners within Configuration A demonstrate the following values: ✓ ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE/CONSTITUTION ✓ DEMONSTRATION OF CAPACITY ✓ INCLUSIVITY ✓ TRANSPARENCY ✓ PUBLIC BENEFIT Common attributes for Partnership A include: • Partner has history of collaborating with PARD to lead major capital improvement projects on parkland, has co- collaborated with recognized entities to lead a major capital improvement project on parkland and/or has successfully independently led a major capital improvement project. (Demonstration of Capacity) • Partner can support project management for design and construction projects or has capacity to financially support third-party project management. (Demonstration of Capacity) • Partner has previously demonstrated integration of maintenance considerations into capital or Community Activated Park Projects. (Demonstration of Capacity) • Partner has a minimum 7-year history of collaboration with the City of Austin, with all levels of engagement recognized in the historical collaboration. (Demonstration of Capacity) • Partner maintains annual 990s. (Governance) • Partner has favorable Charity Navigator and Guidestar ratings. (Governance/Government Oversight) • Partner is committed to cooperative community engagement with PARD and has integrated community engagement into their organization’s goal(s). (Inclusivity/Transparency/Public Benefit) • Partner clearly articulates the public benefit from the organization’s role and mission. (Public Benefit) PARD Partners are integral to PARD and help further the mission and reach of the Department. PARD seeks to fully develop the umbrella program for partnerships within the Department’s Community PARKnerships program. Last updated 02-21-2021 1 Partnership A - Criteria This level of partnership requires a formal partnership review process. The review process will take up …
RESOLUTION NO. 20200312-041 WHEREAS, Austin is home to nearly 20,000 acres of parks and trails which play an essential role in the city's overall environmental health as well as in the physical and mental health of all Austinites; and WHEREAS, as the City's population continues to grow, these parks and trails are increasingly important to the environmental, health, and mobility needs of the citizens of Austin; and WHEREAS, on March 8, 2018, the City adopted a Strategic Direction, including several goals that specifically depend on having strong and sustainable including Economic Opportunity and Affordability, parks and trails systems, Mobility, Health and Environment, and Culture and Lifelong Learning; and WHEREAS, as areas of the City continue to redevelop with denser populations, the acreage of parks also grows due to the critical benefits provided by the City' s Parkland Dedication Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is currently these the vast majority of responsible for approximately 20,000 acres of parkland across the city; and the care and maintenance of WHEREAS, as the parks and trails, and the number of people who depend the need for innovative partnerships with local nonprofits increases, on them, becomes increasingly worth exploring; and WHEREAS, PARD is committed to partnerships that align with its overall mission, vision, and commitment to benefit the public through the Austin parks system; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department Long Range Plan specifically outlines partnerships as a sustainability strategy for developing, improving, maintaining and programming park spaces; and Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, PARD works with nonprofit organizations, conservancies, increase community groups, and businesses to enhance and improve parks, recreational and cultural opportunities, and preserve natural areas in Austin; and WHEREAS, the goals of these partnerships are to enhance and expand public use of PARD's grounds and facilities; encourage active recreation and healthy lifestyles; improve environmental stewardship through public participation and education; celebrate arts, culture, and history to build community; and maximize public benefit at minimum taxpayer cost; and WHEREAS, many peer cities such as Dallas, Houston, Chicago, New York City, and others have negotiated partnerships with nonprofit organizations dedicated to the maintenance and stewardship of particular parks; and WHEREAS, nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving parks and open space for the benefit of the community often have the ability to fundraise and other opportunities that municipalities do not have; and WHEREAS, in Austin, some nonprofits have already begun partnering …
Urban Trails Proposed Code Change AUGUST 18 2021 Agenda 8.18.2021 I. Background #EFA160 #16362F II. Proposed Code Changes LDC 25-8-341/342 I. II. LDC 25-1-261(B)(3)(c) #1886CA III. Q&A PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – CITY OF AUSTIN 2 Background Resolution NO. 20200220-045 ] PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – CITY OF AUSTIN 3 Background February 2020 April 2020 • Resolution NO. 20200220-045 Passed • Stakeholder Group Convened January 2021 #EFA160 • Memo response to Resolution June 2021 #16362F • Resolution NO. 20210610-041 Passed Resolution NO. 20210610-041 #1886CA “(2) Council initiates the following amendments to the Land Development Code, as recommended by PWD and WPD in Appendix B of the January 4, 2021 memo from PWD, and asks that they be brought back to Council by August 26, 2021: (a) Amend Land Development Code 25-8-341 and 25-8-342 to grant urban trails projects greater cut and fill allowances under specific environmental circumstances. (b) Amend Land Development Code 25-8-261(B)(3)(c) to reflect current policy that trails within the critical water quality zone be limited to 12 feet in surface width plus one-foot shoulders on each side. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – CITY OF AUSTIN 4 PURPOSE • Streamline review process • Create transparency • Formalize internal policy LDC 25-8-341 & 25-8-342: Cut and Fill Current Status: Cut and/or fill in a suburban watershed is limited to 4 ft in depth Administrative variance typically granted to allow up to 8 ft, with certain conditions Construction of roadways in public right-of-way has no cut or fill limit Proposed Improvement #EFA160 #16362F Allow cut and/or fill of up to 8 ft for a public trail if: The cut or fill is not located on a slope of more than 15% The cut or fill is not located within 100 #1886CA ft of a classified waterway; and The trail is constructed in accordance with the Environmental Criteria Manual. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – CITY OF AUSTIN 6 NORTHERN WALNUT CREEK TRAIL Northern Walnut Creek Trail Phase 2A • Construction beginning November 2021 • Granted admin variance from cut and fill requirements LDC 25-8-261: Critical Water Quality Zone Development Current Status: A hard surface trail within the critical water quality zone is limited to 12 feet in width, unless a wider trail is designated in a Council adopted plan. Current language does not make clear if the 12 ft refers to the surface width or if it includes …
Description Type of Change Current Status/Concern Proposed Improvement 25-8-341 Cut Requirements and 25-8-341 Fill Requirements Policy 25-8-261 Criteria for hard surfaced trails located within the critical water quality zone Clarify Cut and fill for a trail located in a suburban watershed is currently limited to 4 ft or an administrative variance is required. While administrative variances are typically granted, construction of roadways in public right-of-way has no cut or fill limit. A hard surface trail within the critical water quality zone is limited to 12 feet in width, unless a wider trail is designated in a Council adopted plan. Current language does not make clear if that is surface width or if it includes the sub- grade shoulders that extend beyond the usable width of the trail. Current interpretation is that the 12 ft width refers to the usable width of the trail. Allow cut and fill of up to 8 ft for a public trail if the cut or fill is not located on a slope of more than 15% or within 100 ft of a classified waterway and the trail is designed in accordance with the Environmental Criteria Manual. Clarify the language to formalize current interpretation making clear that a trail within the critical water quality zone is limited to 12 feet plus one foot compacted sub grade shoulders on each side. Advantage Disadvantage Streamlines review process. None Formalizes internal policy. None
1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20210818 004b Date: August 18, 2021 Seconded by: Rachel Scott Subject: Proposed changes to the Land Development Code for urban trails Motion by: Kevin Ramberg RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the City staff are requesting changes to Land Development Code for urban trails specifically requesting: (1) An amendment to LDC 25-8-341 and 25-8-342 to cut and fill requirements to allow cut and fill of up to 8 feet for a public trail if the cut or fill is not located on a slope of more than 15% or within 100 feet of a classified waterway and the trail is constructed in accordance with the Environmental Criteria Manual and (2) An amendment to LDC 25-8-261 to clarify the language to formalize the current interpretation making clear that a trail within the critical water quality zone is limited to 12 feet plus one foot compacted subgrade shoulders on each side. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the above noted changes to the Land Development Code. VOTE 7-0 For: Qureshi, Brimer, Scott, Thompson, Barrett Bixler, Ramberg, and Coyne Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Bedford, Bristol, Guerrero Approved By: Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 18, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Pam Thompson Audrey Barrett Bixler Rick Brimer Kevin Ramberg Katie Coyne Rachel Scott Haris Qureshi Commissioners Absent: Jennifer Bristol Perry Bedford Linda Guerrero Staff in Attendance: Christine Canal Chute Kaela Champlin Andrew Clamann Sara Hartley Liz Johnston Jorge Morales Katie Wettick Julie White CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. 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. None 1. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION UPDATES a. Recognize Andrew Creel for 6 years of service on the Environmental Commission (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1 2. 3. 4. b. New Environmental Commission member welcome and introduction (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the August 4, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) A motion to approve the August 4, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Scott were off the dais. Commissioners Bristol, Bedford, and Guerrero were absent. BRIEFINGS a. Update on School Year 2020-2021 WPD Youth Education Report—Susan Wall, Conservation Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department (15 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. b. Updating the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan for Waller, Walnut, Taylor Slough South, and the Spicewood Tributary of Shoal Creek—Julie White, Environmental Program Coordinator and Andrew Clamann, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Joint presentation on the Programing, Operations and Maintenance Agreement between the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and The Trail Foundation (TTF)— Christine Canal Chute, Program Manager II, PARD, Heidi Anderson, CEO, TTF and Al Godfrey, TTF Board Member (30 minutes) Commissioner Coyne recused on Item 4a. Item conducted as posted. No action taken. b. Discuss and consider proposed changes to the Land Development Code for Urban Trails including: 1. Amendment to LDC 25-8-341 and 25-8-342 to cut and fill requirements to allow cut and fill …
