REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026 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 Kaela Champlin, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@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 Special Called meeting on January 28, 2026. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. Presentation on “Sound Enforcement by Ordinance.” Presentation by Elaine Garrett, Assistant Director and Dedric Knox, Division Manager, Austin Development Services. Presentation on the Food Implementation Plan. Presentation by Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager, Austin Climate Action and Resilience. 4. 5. Presentation on “Beverley Sheffield Northwest District Park duck pond overview and solutions.” Presentation by Janae Spence, Assistant Director, Austin Watershed Protection. Briefing on Austin Watershed CIP project information sharing. Presentation by Janae Spence, Assistant Director, Austin Watershed Protection. 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 Kaela Champlin at Austin Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Environmental Commission, please contact Kaela Champlin, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov
Sound Enforcement by Ordinance Austin Development Services | February 4, 2026 2 Noise Regulation: Our Response Areas OMV Permits Construction Noise Mechanical Noise 3 City of Austin Code- Title 9: Prohibited Activities Chapter 9-2: Noise & Amplified Sound-Article 1: General Provisions § 9-2-3-General Restrictions Use or permit sound equipment at a business that exceeds the decibel limits § 9-2-3 (A)(1) Make noise or play a musical instrument that is audible to an adjacent business or residence between 10:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. § 9-2-3 (A)(2) Operate machinery (for separating, gathering, grading, loading, or unloading sand, rock, or gravel) within 600 feet of a residence, church, hospital, hotel, or motel between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except for concrete installation permitted under Section 9-2-21. § 9-2-3 (A)(3 Use or allow the use of a vehicle or device associated with cold-storage activities (refrigeration, freezing, ice production) between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., if noise or vibration from the vehicle or its equipment is audible or causes vibration at a residence. § 9-2-3 (A)(4) Operate sound equipment in a vehicle if it is audible or causes vibration 30 feet from the equipment (unless authorized by Section 9-2-22 permit). § 9-2-3 (A)(5) Operate sound equipment in a watercraft if it is audible or causes vibration 100 feet from the equipment § 9-2-3 (A)(6) 4 Affirmative Defense to Violation Chapter 9-2-Noise & Amplified Sound-Article 1: General Provisions § 9-2-3-General Restrictions (Loading/Servicing Exception) Noise or vibration occurred while a vehicle or equipment was actively loaded, unloaded, or serviced in compliance with all codes. § 9-2-3 (B)(1) (Advance Consent Exception) At least 48 hours prior, written consent obtained from each affected dwelling unit within 600 feet, using a City-approved form. (Emergency Refrigeration Exception) Use lasted 48 hours or less on or near a licensed food/beverage business. Necessary to maintain cold hold or freezing due to a documented emergency (e.g., equipment or utility failure). § 9-2-3 (B)(2) Violation of Chapter 9-2 or any rule adopted under 1-2 pursuant to Chapter § 9-2 is a violation of City Code, chargeable as a Class C misdemeanor by a fine upon conviction not to exceed$500. Proof of a culpable mental state is expressly waived. § 9-2-3 (B)(3 § 9-2-3 5 Introduction of the Noise Ordinance Restrictions § 9-2-4- Restriction on Decibel Level Chapter 9-2-Noise & Amplified Sound- Article 1: General Provisions § 9-2-5 (A),(B), and (C) Restriction on Use of Sound …
The Austin Travis County Food Plan ● August 8, 2024 2026 1 Agenda 1. Background on Food Planning in Austin, Texas 2. How We Created the Austin Travis County Food Plan 3. What’s in the Plan, and what’s coming next 4. Questions and Answers 2 Background 3 Some Food for Thought Some of Our Food System Challenges Disasters and severe weather events: Winter Storms Uri and Mara Rapid community growth and planning for land use Supply chain disruptions: COVID-19 pandemic The climate impacts of the food system 5 How We Co-Created the Food Plan 6 Origins Why a Food Plan? • • In June 2021, Austin City Council directed the City Manager to initiate a planning process. In December 2022, Travis County Commissioners Court approved formal Travis County participation in the plan. • Sets clear goals and strategies to move toward a more equitable, sustainable, resilient food system. • Builds on existing plans and initiatives from the County, City, and community to tackle key food system issues. • Centers equity and the lived expertise of those most impacted by the current food system. 7 7 Co-Creation Through Stewardship: Who Wrote the Plan and Guided the Process? Project Team Summary Consultants & City/County staff Design & Implement Community Advisory Committee Guide & Approve City/County Executive Leadership Team Review & Course Correct Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Support & Advise 8 Community Engagement Data Summary 1,399 2,226 Demographics Additional participants are estimated to have been involved in tabling events and presentations Participants were involved in the Community Advisory Committee, Community Food Ambassadors, Issue Area Group workshops and other formal food plan meetings 46% identified as having been directly impacted by the food system, e.g. having current or past experience of hunger, using public benefits, or struggling to meet basic needs 19% were engaged from Travis County areas outside City of Austin boundaries 13% engaged in a language other than English 9 CO-CREATION THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: LISTENING SESSIONS, WORLD CAFÉS 10 CO-CREATION THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: TABLING ACTIVITIES & MEETING-IN-A-BOX 11 CO-CREATION THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: ISSUE AREA GROUP WORKSHOPS 12 Some of the organizations represented in the planning process 13 Major Themes Two themes emerged across all community feedback: 1 2 Access to food and affordability 59% of all comments (1,647 total comments) Local food production and agriculture 52% of all comments (1,452 total comments) 14 Adoption October 29th, 2024 October 10th, 2024 …
Duck Pond Improvements Austin Watershed Protection | Feb 4, 2026 Background / History 1955 - City of Austin acquires the Park 1986 – Park added functionality of flood storage facility Partnership: Austin Watershed Protection (AWP) and Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) Duck Pond built in current location Great recreational value Water quality benefits 2022 – Vision Plan is adopted 2 Recent Water Level Issues January 2025 – Pool construction began August 2025 – Community concern re: duck pond water level Oct 23, 2025 – CM Siegel Community Meeting APR + AWP short- and long-term solutions Oct 25, 2025 – Pond full after 3.2” rain January 2026 – Community concern re: duck pond water level 3 Concerns Reduced water supply Lack of rain Potable water leak repaired with pool construction Runoff from smaller rains blocked Possible pond leakage Limitations on Makeup Water Monitoring water level Tree and Aquatic life threat Supplemental water as needed Prepared for fish relocation 4 We Are Listening Short-Term Solution (In Progress) AWP + APR Partnership Improve drainage to pond Sediment removal and berming to help more runoff enter pond Site visit held in November Survey in progress Design expected summer 2026 Construction anticipated fall of 2026 5 Long-Term Solution 1 (Unfunded) **Engineering needed for feasibility** Add flow from 72” storm drain Add bentonite liner Expand pond to southwest Minimize tree impacts Remove accumulated sediment Reduce leakage and preserve tree roots Formalize as AWP Asset for Maintenance 6 Long-Term Solution 2 (Unfunded) **Engineering needed for feasibility** Same as Solution 1 No flow added from 72” storm drain 7 Long-Term Improvements Ensure the dam and detention facility can handle more flow Significant new design and permitting work Working on funding solutions for design and construction Option Complexity 1 2 High Low Solution Strength High Low Cost $2-3M $1.25-$2M Watershed Health Benefits Time to Implement High Low 2 year minimum 1 year minimum 8 Questions? 9 Restrictions with make-up water Code restrictions on potable water CHAPTER 6-4. - WATER CONSERVATION. Quantity of water needed would be substantial (based on limited available information) 3 feet down in 4 months - 600,000 gallons to …
Austin Watershed CIP project information sharing Austin Watershed Protection | 02/04/2026 Current CIP yearly update Current CIP yearly update Current CIP yearly update Current CIP yearly update Current CIP yearly update Current CIP yearly update Interest from members for more project specific info Project Distribution Lists Project presentations from public meetings Proposal Add Environmental Commission members to distributions lists Can opt out Can be added to only particular distribution lists Share presentations from Public Meetings with Environmental Commission members 11 Questions? 12
