REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025 AT 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, EVENTS CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 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, contact Elizabeth Funk, (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jennifer Bristol, Chair Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Mar Moretta Urdiales Allison Morrison David Sullivan 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 October 15, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion, and action regarding Artificial Turf water quality considerations. Presentation by Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer, Austin Watershed Protection. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Staff briefing regarding the 2025 Texas Legislative Session. Presentation by Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve the creation of a working group to develop recommendations for the 2026-2027 City of Austin Budget. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Elizabeth Funk at Austin Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Environmental Commission, please contact Elizabeth Funk, (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.govDRAFT
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation Number: 20251105-002: Artificial Turf Water Quality Considerations WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission received a staff presentation and report from Watershed Protection regarding the impacts of artificial turf grass on water quality, the environment and Austin residents; and WHEREAS, the Watershed Protection staff has identified several concerns regarding the use of artificial turf, including: • worsening the urban heat island effect • polluting the environment with micro-plastics, PFAs, and heavy metals • reversal of perceived water conservation due to the need to clean and cool the turf down with water, particularly on sports fields • high installation costs • public health impacts such as increased concussions or injuries, childhood cancer, etc. • negative effects on soil health • • increased stormwater runoff Increased landfill waste • Hidden maintenance costs • increased erosion • Negative effects on overall tree canopy and soil health • Increased impervious cover; and WHEREAS, the Watershed Protection staff also identified that natural sod requires periodic soil aeration or replacement, irrigation (with or without reclaimed water), and sometimes involves fertilization. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Environmental Commission recommends: • The City of Austin ban the use of artificial turf, with the option to make exceptions in special circumstances where mitigating environmental conditions are met, or artificial turf is the only way to address accessibility issues . • • • • The City of Austin initiate a code amendment to define artificial turf as impervious cover in city code The City of Austin explores conducting an analysis of any commercial spaces and residential lots currently using impervious cover, to assess whether they are out of compliance with their allowed impervious cover limits The City of Austin creates a residential and commercial education campaign about the environmental and health impacts of artificial turf grass, and xeric and native planting alternatives that exist, and explore an opt-in buyback program for artificial turf The Environmental Commission creates a working group to further investigate possible regulations around artificial turf. Date of Approval: November 5, 2025 Motioned By: Mariana Krueger Seconded By: Isabella Changsut Vote: 8-0 For: Jennifer Bristol, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, Richard Brimer, Isabella Changsut, Annie Fierro, Mar Moretta-Urdiales, David Sullivan Against: None Abstain: Justin Fleury Off the dais: None Absent: Martin Luecke and Allison Morriso Attest: __________________________________________ Jennifer Bristol, Chair
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 15, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bristol called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jennifer Bristol, Mariana Krueger, Richard Brimer, Isabella Changsut, Justin Fleury, Martin Luecke, Allison Morrison, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None Commissioners Absent: Annie Fierro, Ashika Ganguly PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on October 1, 2025. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on October 1, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Fierro and Ganguly were absent. Commissioners Changsut and Morrison were off the dais. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 (Land Development Code) related to the drainage easements on parkland owned by the City of Austin – Kevin Shunk, Floodplain Administrator, Austin Watershed Protection Speakers: Kevin Shunk, Austin Watershed Protection Chris Flores, public comment Danne Williams, Austin Parks and Recreation Liz Johnston, Austin Watershed Protection 1 The proposed ordinance related to drainage easements on parkland with a condition was recommended by Commissioner Qureshi, seconded by Commissioner Krueger’s second. Commissioner Brimer motioned to postpone the item until November 5th. The motion failed with a lack of second. The original motion with an amendment passed on an 8-1 vote. Commissioners Fierro and Ganguly were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation of Development Assessment Report for Townlake YMCA PUD, located at 1100 West Cesar Chavez Street, 206 1/2 and 220 1/2 North Lamar Boulevard, CD-2025- 0003 (District 9). Applicant: Dave Anderson, Drenner Group, PC. Staff: Cynthia Hadri, Planning Department Speakers: Cynthia Hadri, Austin Planning Dave Anderson, applicant Kathy Kuras, President and CEO of Greater Austin YMCA Sharlene Leurig Greg Anderson Larry Spec Walter Moreau Daniele Hahn Barbara Grant Boneta Steve Amos William Osborn Chris Flores Liz Johnston, Austin Watershed Protection Glen Rescalvo, Project Architect Tom Bruson, Civil Engineer Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Chair Bristol recessed the meeting at 8:56. Chair Bristol reconvened the meeting at 9:02. Overview of Austin Climate Action and Resilience – Zach Baumer, Director, Austin Climate and Resilience Speakers: Zach Baumer, Austin Climate and Resilience Chris Flores Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 2 FUTURE AGENDA …
Artificial Turf Water Quality Considerations Austin Watershed Protection | November 5, 2025 Presentation Summary ▪ Overview of Artificial Turf (material description, installation methods, maintenance considerations) ▪ Impervious VS Pervious Cover (hydrologic and policy considerations) ▪ Water Quality/Environmental considerations on artificial turf versus sod ▪ Policy Considerations ▪ Benchmarking ▪ Staff recommendations 2 Artificial Turf Overview ▪ Synthetic fibers designed to look like grass ▪ Uses include athletic fields, playgrounds, parks, commercial, residential, dog areas ▪ Benefits: ▪ Requires no irrigation, fertilization, herbicides ▪ Extended playing time (no mud after rainstorms) ▪ Reduced operating costs (no mowing, but does need cleaning regularly) 3 Artificial Turf Overview Concerns ▪ Heat island effect ▪ No evapotranspiration cooling effect ▪ Can be as hot or hotter than concrete ▪ Infill material contents – PFAS/metals concerns, clothes staining ▪ Water quality concerns ▪ Water conservation limited by need to cool fields down with water ▪ Drainage - Potential to increase run-off ▪ Installation costs high – may be as frequent as every 10 years ▪ Health – more concussions depending, concerns about PFAS 4 Typical Installation Methods Turf Blades and Infill Shock Absorbing Pad Levelling Layer Base Gravel/Rock Layer Compacted Native Soil 5 Turf Material Considerations Infill ▪ Was typically crumb rubber (ground up tires) ▪ Source of PFAS & heavy metals ▪ Not used as often – still used in playgrounds due to shock absorbing qualities ▪ Alternative materials include: ▪ Acrylic coated sand ▪ Cork ▪ Nutshells ▪ Coconut fibers ▪ Migrates off-site easily ▪ Potential to accumulate environmental pollutants over time. Blades ▪ Microplastics – degrade over time ▪ Another source of PFAS (lubricants used in manufacturing) 6 Photo credit (Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post) https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate- environment/2025/08/05/artificial-turf-heat-health-environment-cost/ Turf Material Considerations Need for Replacement – breaks down over time due to heat/sun and mechanical wear ▪ Old material to landfill ▪ Periodic cleaning necessary with detergents that run off ▪ HOT: Athletic fields are often sprayed with water during hot weather to bring the temperature down ▪ Failure to maintain correctly with special equipment may void warranty 7 Natural Turf Maintenance Considerations Natural sod ▪ Soil aeriation – twice a year ▪ Irrigation needed to keep sod alive (can use reclaimed water if available) ▪ Periodic sod replacement adds cost ▪ Fertilizing/Herbicide – applied as needed ▪ Challenging to maintain under intense use ▪ Rain makes natural sod fields unplayable until dry 8 Impervious …
89th State Legislature Post Session Briefing Austin Watershed Protection | November 5, 2025 Overview Austin Watershed Protection (APW) legislative overview Major topics & bill outcomes for Austin Watershed Protection during: 89th Regular Legislative Session First 89th Special Session Second 89th Special Session Questions 2 89th Legislative session overview 9,014 total bills & joint resolutions 1,231 bills signed by Governor 1,499 bills monitored by the City of Austin 247 bills monitored by Austin Watershed Protection 30 bills were signed or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature 3 Austin Watershed Protection Legislative review & outcomes AWP legislative review Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Land use Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Disannexation Climate & environmental fees 5 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Bills aimed at dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, policies, governmental positions, and hiring practices for governmental entities. All DEI bills tracked by AWP failed to pass SB 689 HB 167 HB 436 HB 1521 HB 2770 6 Land Use Passed legislation SB 15 – Requires a city to allow 3,000 square foot lots on unplatted land of five or more acres. SB 840 – Allows residential by right in non-residential base zones. Failed to pass HB 23 & SB 2354 – Would have allowed developers to bypass city review process by hiring licensed 3rd party professionals to review & approve development documents & conduct inspections. HB 3798 & SB 1927 – Would have prohibited cities from restricting or imposing mitigation fees on the removal of Ashe juniper trees from residential properties. SB 673 - Would have prohibited local governments from regulating accessory dwelling units. 7 Extraterritorial Jurisdiction & Disannexation Passed legislation HB 2512 – Limits areas that can be released from the ETJ of certain Texas cities (bracketed to only apply to Fort Worth). Limits election petitions to those property owners who reside in the area that is proposed to be released & allows property owners to opt out of being released from the ETJ SB 1844 – Allows property owners to disannex from a city if: the property is located adjacent to a navigable waterway, the property was not annexed between 2017 & 2019, and Most of the properties in the area do not receive …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 5, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bristol called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Richard Brimer, Isabella Changsut, Annie Fierro, Justin Fleury, Mar Moretta-Urdiales, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jennifer Bristol Commissioners Absent: Martin Luecke, Allison Morrison PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Anne Oitzinger, 360 expansion and heritage trees Kimery Duda, Exposition School 2025 Public Benefit APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on October 15, 2025. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on October 15, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Luecke and Morrison were absent. Commissioner Bristol was off the dais. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the 2025 Texas Legislative Session. Presentation by Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection. Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation, discussion, and action regarding Artificial Turf water quality considerations. Presentation by Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer, Austin Watershed Protection. Speakers: Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Bobby Levinski, Save Our Springs Roy Waley, Sierra Club A recommendation related to Artificial Turf water quality considerations, including creating a working group with Commissioners Bristol, Fleury, Krueger, Moretta-Urdiales, and Sullivan, passed on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Changsut’s second, on an 8–0 vote. Commissioner Fleury abstained. Commissioners Luecke and Morrison were absent. Approve the creation of a working group to develop recommendations for the 2026- 2027 City of Austin Budget. A motion to create a working group on the 2027 city budget as it relates to the Environmental Commission purview with Commissioners Changsut, Brimer, Qureshi, and Sullivan, passed on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Luecke and Morrison were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Fierro requested a staff presentation on the renovations at Northwest Park duck pond and the short and long term solutions. Commissioner Brimer seconded. Commissioner Fleury requested a presentation on noise pollution, particularly as related to roadways. Commissioner Krueger seconded. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bristol adjourned the meeting at 8:21 pm without objection. The minutes from the November 5, 2025 regular meeting were approved at the December 3, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on an 8-0 …
