1. 2. Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission December 1, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Environmental Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi (D-1) Rachel Scott (D-2) Pam Thompson (D-3) Vacant (D-4) Vacant (D-6) Audrey Barrett Bixler (D-5) Linda Guerrero (D-9) Chair _________________________________________________________________________________ Jennifer Bristol (D-7) Secretary Perry Bedford (Mayor) Richard Brimer (D-10) Kevin Ramberg (D-8) Vice-Chair Agenda CALL TO ORDER 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the November 17, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) STAFF UPDATES a. Update on amendments to City Code section 2.1 regarding rules for conducting remote/hybrid Board and Commission meetings—Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) 1 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Presentation on changes to improve issues with erosion-sedimentation controls in the Zilker/Barton Hills neighborhood—David Chapman, Environmental Compliance Supervisor, Development Services Department (30 minutes) b. Briefing on the Sound Ordinance—David Chapman, Environmental Compliance Supervisor, and Brian Block, Program Manager, Development Services Department (30 minutes) c. Make a recommendation regarding the creation, continuation, or termination and status of Lady Bird Lake concessions contained in the 2021 Annual Report of City of Austin/Parks and Recreation Department Managed Concessions on Town Lake— Margaret Stenz, Contract Management Specialist, Parks and Recreation Department (30 minutes) 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson, Richard Brimer, and Linda Guerrero b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Audrey Barrett Bixler c. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Kevin Ramberg d. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board –Linda Guerrero, Pam Thompson, and Rachel Scott e. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero f. Other Updates: Update on Building Austin Tougher Strategic Initiative – Rachel Scott 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 …
Environmental Inspections 12/01/2021 David Chapman Environmental Division Manager 1 Objective FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments • Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) • Types of ESC’s • Inspection & Enforcement • Resources & Reference 2 Erosion & Sediment Controls FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments What are Erosion and Sediment Controls? • Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) is the practice of preventing or reducing the movement of sediment from a site during construction through the implementation of man-made structures, land management techniques, or natural processes. • ESC’s are installed at the perimeter of the construction site. 3 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Rainfall Design MuniCode 2.3.0 Drainage Criteria Manual 4 Types of ESC’s FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Common types of ESC’s used within the City of Austin include (refer to MuniCode for design standards and allowances): 1. Mulch Socks 2. Silt Fence 3. Triangular Sediment Filter Dike 5 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Mulch Socks 6 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Silt Fence 7 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Triangular Sediment Dike 8 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Innovative Designs 9 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Tree Protection 10 Inspection & Enforcement FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments • • • • • • • Routine Inspections • • Residential = 1201 Commercial = 1285 Called Inspections • Enforcement of Non-Compliance • 311 Complaints • Emails Phone calls Weather Event Inspections • Hot Spots Average 5 more inspections per month from last year Average 550 Residential Tree Inspections Monthly • Average 801 Residential EV Inspections Monthly • Average 492 more inspections per month from last year 496 Total Complaints (117 Complaints lower then last year) 11 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Enforcement of Non-Compliance 1. MuniCode Section 25-1-441, city inspector is responsible for environmental regulations and can take enforcement action for non-compliance with erosion and sedimentation requirement on a project site. 2. Enforcement Process: 1. Verbal – projects with required development permit/site plan where routine inspections reveal inadequacies in the controls, a verbal warning to the responsible personnel at the site is issued. – 1238 FY21 , 874 FY20 2. Written – 24 hours from the verbal warning, the deficiencies are not corrected, the inspector may deliver a written notice of non-compliance. – 134 FY21, 182 FY 20 Stop Work Order –24 hours, the deficiencies are not corrected, the inspector can issue a Stop Work Order to stop work on the project until the deficiencies are corrected. – 15 FY21, 33FY20 3. …
Amplified Sound Process 12/01/2021 Brian Block Entertainment Services Manager David Chapman Environmental Division Manger 1 Welcome FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments • Chapter 9-2 Noise & Amplified Sound • General Restrictions • Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit Types • Review Process • Enforcement Process • Resources & Reference 2 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Chapter 9-2 Noise & Amplified Sound General Restrictions • Noise may not be audible to an adjacent business or residence between 10:30pm-7:00am • At a business, sound equipment is limited to 85dB between 10:00am-2:00am, and may not be audible at the property line of the business between 2:00am-10:00am • In a residential area, sound equipment is limited to 75 dB from 10:00am-10:00pm and may not be audible beyond the property line from 10:00pm-10:00am • Businesses and Events can get a permit for the use of sound equipment that exempts them from the general restrictions 3 FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit Types • Outdoor Music Venue Permit (OMV) • Outdoor Amplified Sound at commercial establishments on a regular or recurring basis • Annual operating permit issued for outdoor amplified sound • Temporary Use of Sound Equipment • Outdoor Amplified Sound at commercial establishments on an event-by-event basis • Temporary permit for events and activities with outdoor amplified sound at permanent establishments that don’t require a Special Event Permit • Outdoor Amplified Sound at Special Events • Outdoor amplified sound at events is typically approved through the special event permit required for all special events • City Code Chapter 4-20 (Special Events) 4 Review Process FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments (Entertainment Services Group) The purpose of the Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) permit is to assess and limit impacts to the surrounding community and to support both outdoor amplified sound at establishments and residential quality of life Every OMV permit includes a sound impact plan that specifies the allowances and restrictions for decibel limits and operating hours, as well as other details that the establishment must comply with City code sets maximum sound level and hours for different locations and contexts, and the criteria for the review. Staff conducts the review and customizes allowances and restrictions in a customized and context sensitive way based on the review criteria 5 Review Process FY2020: Top 10 Accomplishments (Entertainment Services Group) 1. Review for potential impacts to surrounding community may include a) On-site inspections, sound measurements, discussions with nearby residents and business owners; …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20211201 003a Date: December 1, 2021 Subject: Development Services Department’s changes and improvements to erosion and sedimentation controls Motion by: Kevin Ramberg RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission appreciates the Development Services Department’s (DSD) changes and improvements to erosion and sedimentation controls citywide and in the Zilker Barton Hills Neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission appreciates the inspection report and presentation. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends: Seconded by: Linda Guerrero 1) DSD continue to improve erosion and sedimentation control types and implementation, tree inspection training, and arborist collaboration and certifications; 2) DSD continue to brief the Environmental Commission (at a minimum annually) on inspections and improvements related to erosion and sedimentation and tree protection citywide; and 3) DSD continue public outreach to communicate the best process to report concerns. VOTE 8-1 Approved By: For: Bedford, Qureshi, Scott, Barrett Bixler, Bristol, Ramberg, Guerrero, and Brimer Against: Thompson Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: None Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 1
1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20211201 003c Date: December 1, 2021 Subject: 2021 Annual Report of City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Managed Concessions on Lady Bird (Town) Lake Motion by: Jennifer Bristol RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission has received a staff briefing of the 2021 Annual Report of City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) Managed Concessions on Lady Bird (Town) Lake. Seconded by: Perry Bedford THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends continuation of the concession contracts on Lady Bird Lake Park with the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. Consistent with the Environmental Commission’s previous recommendations: in the 2022 Annual Report, PARD staff will verify that three years of records for marine waste disposal have been maintained for any entity that pumps waste on Lady Bird Lake, and that these monthly records are included in the public record going forward. 2. PARD staff should review the number of public and private boats that are typically on Lady Bird Lake, and if there is a capacity issue, that should be considered, including consultation with the City of Austin rescue teams and the Watershed Protection Department. 3. PARD should continue working on consistent terms and conditions in the various contracts to the extent practicable. 4. Include the waste pump-out data in the 2022 Annual Report. 5. Consider the physical, social, and environmental capacity of Lady Bird Lake Park when anticipating 6. Provide an update on any new concessions, including the Seaholm Power Plant and the Zilker upcoming solicitations. Metropolitan Park Vision Plan. VOTE 9-0 For: Bedford, Qureshi, Scott, Thompson, Barrett Bixler, Bristol, Ramberg, Guerrero, and Brimer Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: None Approved By: Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 2
