Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission August 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will 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 Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@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). CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Justin Fleury Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Martin Luecke Hanna Cofer, Secretary Ashika Ganguly Annie Fierro Jennifer Bristol, Chair David Sullivan Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 6th, 2025. 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on Watershed Protection Department Flood Response – John Beachy, Division Manager, Kevin Shunk, Floodplain Administrator, Watershed Protection Department 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 Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, Watershed Protection Department, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Environmental Commission, please contact Elizabeth Funk, (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, Watershed Protection Department. 2
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 6, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bristol called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jennifer Bristol, Isabella Changsut, Justin Fleury, Annie Fierro, Martin Luecke Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer, Ashika Ganguly, Mariana Krueger Commissioners Absent: Hanna Cofer, Haris Qureshi PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 2nd, 2025 and the Special Called Meeting on July 16th, 2025 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 2, 2025 and Special Called meeting on July 16, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Changsut and Ganguly were off the dais. Commissioners Cofer and Qureshi were absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: RBI Austin Youth Development Complex, SP-2022-0567C Applicant: Katherine Lauer, 9442 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Plaza I, Suite 340, Austin, TX, 78759 Location: 7401 Loyola Lane, Austin, TX Council District: District 1 Staff: Eric Brown, Environmental Scientist Senior, 512-797-3139 1 Eric.brown@austintexas.gov Watershed Protection Department and Mike McDougal, Environmental Policy Program Manager, 512-974-6380 mike.mcdougal@austintexas.gov Development Services Department Applicant request: Variance request is as follows: a. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261(G) to allow floodplain modification within a CWQZ; b. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263 to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ that is in good floodplain health condition; c. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 8 feet; and d. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 8 feet. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions Speakers: Eric Brown, WPD Mohamad Abdulkader, Amanda Swor, on behalf of the applicant Matt Price, Founder of RBI Liz Johnston, WPD John Clement, WPD Johnathon McGee, Garza A motion to close the public hearing passed on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Cofer and Qureshi were absent. A motion to recommend the RBI Austin Youth Development Complex, SP-2022- 0567C, with conditions passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on an 8–1 vote. Commissioner Krueger voted against. Commissioners Cofer and Qureshi were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation of Development Assessment Report for 600 East Riverside Drive, located at 600 and 600 ½ East Riverside Drive, CD-2025-0001 (District 9). …
Overview • Austin Flood History • Austin Flood Challenges • Flood Preparedness Strategy • Funding • Rain to River • Questions Austin Flood Challenges • Atlas 14 data shows Austin is experiencing more frequent and heavier rainfall • Austin has shallow soils and world record rainfall rates • 10% of land in Austin is in the floodplain and subject to flash flooding • More than 10,000 buildings and 400 roads are prone to flooding during a 100-year flood Flood Preparedness Strategy • Flood Mitigation • Flood Preparedness • Flood Response Flood Mitigation • Capital Improvement Projects • Floodplain & Drainage Regulations • Operations & Maintenance • Vegetation & Land Management • In-house Drainage System Upgrades Flood Preparedness • Preventative maintenance of drainage system • Pre-storm checks on critical locations • Monitor the weather for potential flooding • Coordinate with partner departments, Austin-Travis County Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and Stakeholders • Communication & Engagement Flood Response • Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) • Watershed Protection Department Emergency Management Team • Department Operations Center • Flood Reconnaissance and Debris Management Flood Impacts & Response May 28, 2025 Department OPCON Level 2 • 8 low water crossing closures • 35 flooded structures • 2 WPD buildings impacted (back-up generation) • 298 Service Requests • 5 reconnaissance teams investigated areas with high intensity rainfall and met with impacted community members • Collaborated with Development Services Department to create resource documents and handouts for affected residents • 1,000 tons of debris removed from drainage system • Coordinated with Austin Resource Recovery and Transportation & Public Works for debris management • Participated in media requests to include in city-wide press conference Watershed Protection Department Operations Center (DOC) First time activated on May 29-30 for OPCON Level 2 Flood Impacts & Response July 5, 2025 Department OPCON Level 3 • 18 low water crossing closures; multiple closures for Spicewood Springs and Old Spicewood Springs • Residents trapped in between crossings on Spicewood Springs and needed rescue • 5 flooded structures • 170 Service Requests • Reconnaissance teams investigated areas with high intensity rainfall • Over 500 tons of debris removed from drainage system Investments to Date Historical Spending • Bond funds used towards 50 stormwater projects since 2001 • Total 114 flood projects have completed phases, costing approximately $567M • Funding sources include GO bonds, cash transfer from drainage charge revenue, and grants • Remaining …
Overview • Austin Flood History • Austin Flood Challenges • Flood Preparedness Strategy • Funding • Rain to River • Questions Austin Flood Challenges • Atlas 14 data shows Austin is experiencing more frequent and heavier rainfall • Austin has shallow soils and world record rainfall rates • 10% of land in Austin is in the floodplain and subject to flash flooding • More than 10,000 buildings and 400 roads are prone to flooding during a 100-year flood National Flood Insurance Program • Participated since 1983 • Must adopt and enforce floodplain regulations • Provides availability of federally-backed flood insurance to residents • Required for federal disaster funding 5 Purpose of Floodplain Regulations • Public safety • Reduce flood risk to residents, buildings, and roads • Minimize flood risk for new development • Make Austin more resilient 6 March 1974 - Waterway Ordinance Establishes 25-year floodplain protection, natural and traditional character Floodplain Regulation Timeline September 1974 • Austin enters FEMA emergency program • First floodplain maps 1983 Floodplain regulations become effective 2019 Floodplain regulations update in response to Atlas 14 1974 1981 1983 2003 2019 May 1981 Memorial Day Flood September 1981 Initial FEMA FIRM date • • Austin enters full NFIP 2003 Floodplain regulations amended to include administrative variance process 7 Floodplain Management Regulations Regulation Regulation Regulation Regulation Regulation Austin Austin Austin Austin Austin FEMA Min. Std. FEMA Min. Std. FEMA Min. Std. FEMA Min. Std. FEMA Min. Std. Increase in flood level No adverse impact Increase in flood level No adverse impact Increase in flood level No adverse impact Increase in flood level No adverse impact Increase in flood level No adverse impact Up to 1 foot Up to 1 foot Up to 1 foot Up to 1 foot Up to 1 foot Freeboard Freeboard Freeboard Freeboard Safe access Safe access Safe access 1 foot overall; 2 1 foot overall; 2 1 foot overall; 2 2 feet feet in some cases feet in some cases feet in some cases 1 foot above 100- 1 foot above 100- 1 foot above 100- year floodplain year floodplain year floodplain 0 feet 0 feet 0 feet 0 feet None None None Substantial Substantial improvement improvement 10-year 10-year cumulative cumulative Permit by permit Permit by permit Watershed conditions Fully developed Existing conditions 8 s g n d i l i u B f o r e b m u N 3,000 2,500 …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 20, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bristol called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jennifer Bristol, Hanna Cofer, Justin Fleury, Ashika Ganguly, Mariana Krueger, Martin Luecke, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer, Annie Fierro Commissioners Absent: Isabella Changsut PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 6th, 2025 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 6th, 2025 were approved as amended on Commissioner Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was off the dais. Commissioner Changsut was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on Watershed Protection Department Flood Response – John Beachy, Division Manager, Kevin Shunk, Floodplain Administrator, Watershed Protection Department Speakers: Kevin Shunk, WPD John Beachy, WPD Francis Acuña, public comment 1 Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Chair Bristol adjourned the meeting at 8:12 pm without objection. The minutes from the August 20, 2025 regular meeting were approved at the September 3, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cofer, Fierro, Ganguly, and Qureshi were absent. Commissioner Krueger was off the dais. 2
